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Wales Online
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Sian Filcher

Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby fight back tears in emotional tribute to Caroline Flack on Dancing on Ice

Dancing on Ice paid tribute to Caroline Flack at the start of Sunday night's episode.

Presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield opened the show with Phil saying: "We'd like to begin tonight's show by taking a moment to remember Caroline Flack in light of yesterday's awful news. We wanted to say that our hearts go out to her family and friends."

Holly added: "Many of us here on the show knew Caroline as a friend, and we'll all miss her enormously.

"As Caroline herself recently posted, 'In a world where you can be anything, be kind'."

Caroline was found dead at the age of 40 at her home in east London on Saturday, after taking her own life.

The shocking news prompted a flood of tributes from celebrities and fans.

Caroline, who was described as "vulnerable" by her management, stepped down from her current presenting role on Love Island after she was alleged to have assaulted Lewis Burton at her then-flat in Islington, north London, in December.

Caroline Flack was found dead at her home (PA)

She entered a plea of not guilty to the charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court, and was released on bail.

Conditions meant that she was unable to have contact with her boyfriend Lewis ahead of the trial in March.

In a statement released on Saturday night, her management company criticised the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pressing ahead with what it called her "show trial", even after her boyfriend said he did not support it.

Francis Ridley, of Money Talent Management, said: "In recent months Caroline had been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.

"The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events.

"The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest.

"And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline."
 

Laura Whitmore remembers Caroline Flack in tearful radio tribute

Laura Whitmore, who replaced Caroline as Love Island host for the latest series, paid a tearful tribute to the late star during her show on BBC Radio 5 live on Sunday.

She said: "Caroline loved to love. That's all she wanted. Which is why a show like Love Island was important to her, because the show is about finding love, friendship, having a laugh. The problem wasn't the show. The show... is loving and caring and safe and protected.

"The problem is, the outside world is not. Anyone who has ever compared one woman against another on Twitter, knocked someone because of their appearance, invaded someone else's privacy, who have made mean, unnecessary comments on an online forum - they need to look at themselves."

She added: "Caroline, I'm so sad for you, for your family. I'm angry that you saw this as your only option as I know how much love and support you had. I'm sorry you didn't know that."

 
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