Caroline Flack’s management have slammed the Crown Prosecution Service for pursuing the “vulnerable” Love Island star.
The presenter, who was on bail and awaiting trial after pleading not guilty to charges of assault, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday after taking her own life.
In a statement, her management said the CPS should “look at themselves” for pursuing “a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest”
Their full statement reads: “We are devastated at the loss of our client and friend Caroline Flack.
“An immensely talented young woman who was at the top of her game professionally and loved by television viewers across the country.
“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. Our thoughts are with Caroline’s family at this time.”
Caroline stepped down from hosting the first ever winter series of Love Island after she was charged with assault following a row with boyfriend Lewis Burton.
After the initial court hearing, Lewis insisted he was not assaulted by the presenter.
“What I witnessed today was horrible,” he said. “She did not hit me with a lamp. Arguments do happen every day in every relationship. Gutted I am not allowed to protect her right now.”
Ahead of her first court hearing she told fans she was going through the “worst time of her life”.
She wrote on Instagram at the time: “This is the worst time of my life. I don’t know where to go to. Where to look. Who to trust. Or I even am.”
The former X Factor host previously said of the incident: “While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to cooperating with the appropriate authorities and I can’t comment further on these matters until the legal process is over.”
In October last year, Caroline opened up about her mental health struggles in an Instagram post to her followers.
The TV star said “being a burden” was her “biggest fear” as she told her 2.3 million followers that she had recently been experiencing “anxiety and (the) pressure of life”.
Caroline said in the post that she had meant to write something on World Mental Health Day on October 10 but that she had been “knee deep in work”.
She said: “I wanted to write something about mental health day last week but I was knee deep in work. And some days it’s hard to write your feelings of your not in the right place.
“The last few weeks I’ve been in a really weird place … I find it hard to talk about it … I guess it’s anxiety and pressure of life … and when I actually reached out to someone they said I was draining.
“I feel like this is why some people keep their emotions to themselves. I certainly hate talking about my feelings. And being a burden is my biggest fear…
“I’m lucky to be able to pick myself up when things feel shit.
“But what happens if someone can’t. Be nice to people. You never know what’s going on. Ever.”
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.