CAROLINE Flack has been found dead at her London flat after taking her own life.

Former Love Island host Caroline, 40 – who was due in court next month on charges of assaulting her boyfriend – was found in her new flat today.

18 Love Island presenter Caroline Flack has been found dead

18 The TV star was due to stand trial on March 4 Credit: Darren Fletcher - The Sun

Tonight, friends and family of the presenter were devastated by her untimely death – which came just a day after her lover Lewis Burton, publicly made contact with her despite a court ban.

A family statement read: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.

"We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."

Model Lewis, 27 denied the prosecution - with defiant Caroline determined to prove her innocence after denying assault by beating.

Those close to Caroline are said to be furious that the CPS had continued to prosecute Caroline despite Lewis making clear he did not want them to and there being no serious injury.

They are angry that the CPS had refused to listen to warnings that Caroline was vulnerable.

ITV released a statement: "Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.

"Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends."

18 Caroline Flack's boyfriend had posted a Valentine's Day message Credit: Instagram

Friend and new host of Love Island paid tribute

18 Lewis did not support the prosecution

18 Caroline Flack's last Instagram post Credit: Instagram

Lewis had declared his love for Caroline on Instagram yesterday as they spent Valentine's Day apart.

He posted a sweet snap of the pair of them with the caption: "Happy valentines [red love heart] Love you [kissing emoji]".

Axed Love Island presenter Caroline’s own last Instagram post also came a day before her death – and showed her giving her pet dog Ruby a kiss.

The poignant snap showed Caroline with freshly-dyed blonde hair puckering up to the French bulldog in the post that was ‘liked’ by 122,000 people.

Ex-tennis player Lewis was told the terrible news of her death while on a skiing holiday with pals – and was tonight travelling back to the UK.

Caroline’s death has left her parents Christine and Ian, brother Paul and sisters Elizabeth and Jody heartbroken.

Her mother, Christine, publicly supported her – and hugged and kissed her daughter outside court – when she appeared before Highbury and Islington JPs on December 23.

18 Caroline Flack was forced to step down from the show

18 Laura Whitmore took over her role on Love Island Credit: Getty - Contributor

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Caroline – who started her career as an actress and is an ex of Prince Harry – was forced to stand down from her £1.2 million position as Love Island host after her arrest for allegedly attacking Lewis in Islington, north London on December 12.

She always insisted she was innocent and vowed to clear her name.

Close pal Laura Whitmore took over the role for the winter version of the show, which is currently airing on ITV2.

Caroline began her career as an actress - appearing in Bo' Selecta! - before going on to present a number of shows including Big Brother's Big Mouth.

She also appeared on shows aired on E4 Music and on the CBBC channel.

Caroline hosted Gladiators in 2009 - taking over from Kirsty Gallacher - alongside Ian Wright and also presented I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here NOW!

18 Caroline Flack won the 12th series of Strictly Come Dancing

18 Her and Pasha Kovalev got perfect scores

18 Caroline also co-presented the X Factor with Olly Murs

In 2011, Caroline presented The Xtra Factor with Olly Murs and later Matt Richardson before later hosting the main show in 2015 to replace Dermot O'Leary.

After he returned to the show, Caroline took on her biggest role as presenter of Love Island the same year.

Along with as hosting Love Island's weekly spin-off show Aftersun, she hosted all five series of the popular programme - one of the most-watched reality shows in the UK since it launched in 2015.

As well as presenting on TV, Caroline was also crowned winner of the 12th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 with Pasha Kovalev as her partner.

She earned the first perfect score of the series for her salsa dance in the semi-finals - followed by three further perfect scores for the first time in the show's history.

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In March last year, she took part in an episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer alongside Krishnan Guru-Murthy, actor Greg Wise and boxer Nicola Adams.

Love Island stars tonight led tributes to Caroline after her tragic death was announced.

Amber Davies, who won the show in 2017, tweeted: "My heart is actually broken".

While Wes Nelson wrote: "I can't believe what I'm reading! Caroline Flack was an absolute diamond, my hearts genuinely broken! One of the warmest funniest people I've ever met, I have nothing but great memories! It was just weeks since we were chatting away!".

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield also paid tribute to Caroline with a post on his Instagram stories.

He added text above a message that Caroline had posted on social media, which read: "In a world where you can be anything, be kind".

Schofield wrote: "You poor darling girl my heart is breaking #BeKind".

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123

18 Caroline was determined to prove her innocence Credit: Getty Images

18 The star began presenting Love Island in 2015 Credit: Rex Features

18 She had recently posted climbing videos on social media Credit: Instagram / Mollie Grosberg