Laura Whitmore Shares Caroline Flack’s Final Message on Anniversary of Her Death
On the fifth anniversary of Caroline Flack’s tragic passing, Laura Whitmore has shared a deeply personal tribute, revealing the final messages exchanged between the two close friends. Caroline, best known for hosting ITV’s Love Island, took her own life on February 15, 2020, at the age of 40, following intense media scrutiny and legal pressures.
A Heartfelt Tribute
Laura, who succeeded Caroline as the host of Love Island in 2020, posted a series of screenshots of their WhatsApp conversation alongside a photo of the two together. In the messages, Caroline expressed her support for Laura taking over the hosting role, calling it “perfect” that Laura would be working alongside her husband, Iain Stirling, the show’s narrator. The messages ended with a series of love hearts, which Laura described as Caroline’s final words to her.
Reflecting on the messages, Laura wrote: “I got a new phone this month, and as I was trying to download WhatsApp messages from my cloud, loads of old messages came up. Ones I thought I lost a few years ago. It really hit me hard.”
She added, “Looking at messages I’ve never publicly shared as they were private… I think they show a side to Caroline which is nice to remember. Hence I’m sharing now.”
Remembering Caroline’s Legacy
Caroline Flack was a beloved television personality, hosting shows like The X Factor, Big Brother’s Little Brother, and I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here NOW!. She also won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014. However, her career was overshadowed by personal struggles, culminating in her tragic death.
Laura shared how Caroline had always been supportive of her career, even when Laura took over hosting duties for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here NOW! years earlier. “She was as supportive of me doing that role back then as she was when she supported me doing Love Island in 2020,” Laura wrote.
A Call for Change
In her post, Laura also reflected on the ongoing challenges faced by women in the public eye, noting that society has yet to learn from the treatment Caroline endured. “I’m sad when I see the press and social media be so divisive and that we still haven’t learned from Caroline’s treatment before her death when it comes to women in the spotlight,” she said.
Laura emphasized the importance of remembering Caroline for the kind and supportive person she was, rather than the controversies that surrounded her final days. “I’d like to think wherever she is now, she’s at peace and somewhere lovely like I hoped,” she concluded.
Honoring Caroline’s Memory
Caroline’s family and friends have continued to honor her legacy. Her mother, Christine Flack, unveiled a suicide prevention bench in north London last year, and an upcoming Disney+ documentary will explore Caroline’s life and career while shedding light on the events leading up to her death.
For those struggling with emotional distress, resources like Samaritans are available to provide support. In the UK, you can call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 1-800-273-TALK.
