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Caroline Flack’s family releases powerful message she wrote days before she died

Caroline Flack's family has released a powerful message the Norfolk TV presenter wrote days before she died. Picture: PA Wire/PA Images/Matt Crossick. PA Wire/PA Images

Caroline Flack’s family has released a powerful message the TV presenter wrote days before she died, but was advised not to share on social media.

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Caroline Flack was advised not to share the post on social media. Picture Ian West/PA Wire. Caroline Flack was advised not to share the post on social media. Picture Ian West/PA Wire.

In it, the 40-year-old opened her heart about the traumatic ordeal she had been through after being arrested for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton.

Miss Flack, who grew up in Norfolk, wrote how "my whole world and future was swept from under my feet" and how she had lost her career and her home.

She said she "took responsibility for what happened that night" but said it had been an accident and she "was NOT a domestic abuser."

Her advisers told her not to post the message but her family wanted to release it through the EDP.

Miss Flack said she had written it "as the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment."

The former Love Island host was found dead in her east London flat on Saturday, the day after she had been told that the Crown Prosecution Service was pursuing the court case against her. She took her own life.

Caroline Flack at a book-signing in Norwich in 2015. Picture: Denise Bradley Caroline Flack at a book-signing in Norwich in 2015. Picture: Denise Bradley

Her mum Chris said: "Carrie sent me this message at the end of January but was told not to post it by advisers but she so wanted to have her little voice heard.

"So many untruths were out there but this is how she felt and my family and I would like people to read her own words.

"Carrie was surrounded by love and friends but this was just too much for her.

"Her friends Molly, Lou, Sam, Liam and Simon need a very special mention and lots of thanks for trying so hard to keep her safe."

Mrs Flack added: "Jody her twin sister was there her whole life for her but this time nothing could take away the hurt of such injustice

"As Carrie would say: 'In a nasty world just be kind.'"

Caroline Flack visiting her old high school in Watton during their rehersals for a big show in 2008. Picture:Sonya Duncan Caroline Flack visiting her old high school in Watton during their rehersals for a big show in 2008. Picture:Sonya Duncan

Mrs Flack added: "It was describing how she was feeling and what she had gone through - no more than that. It was not blaming anyone or pointing any fingers.

"We want people to read it and want it to be shared through the EDP who we really trust and always have done."

Mrs Flack said she had received a text from her daughter on Friday after the CPS decision and friends had been with her later in the day.

Mrs Flack and Miss Flack's sister Jody had both been due see her on Saturday.

An inquest into Miss Flack's death is due to be opened at Poplar Coroner's Court this morning.

Love Island did not air on Saturday or Sunday as a mark of respect to her family and returned on Monday with a tribute to the TV star, who started hosting the programme in 2015.

Floral tributes placed outside Caroline Flack's former home in North London. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA/PA Wire. Floral tributes placed outside Caroline Flack's former home in North London. Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA/PA Wire.

Love Island narrator Iain Stirling remembered his friend's "passion, warmth and infectious enthusiasm".

As footage of the sea and the sound of waves played, Stirling said: "We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away.

"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this dreadful time.

"Caroline and me were together from the very start of Love Island and her passion, warmth and infectious enthusiasm were a crucial part of what made this show connect with millions of viewers."

He continued: "Like many of you right now, we are all just trying to come to terms with what has happened.

"My only hope is that we can all try to be kinder, always show love and listen to one another.

Photo of Caroline Flack in 2018. The TV presenter died at her home in London. Picture: PA Images/Ian West. Photo of Caroline Flack in 2018. The TV presenter died at her home in London. Picture: PA Images/Ian West.

"Caroline, I want to thank you for all the fun times we had making our favourite show.

"You were a true friend to me. I'm going to miss you Caz."

A picture of the presenter then appeared, with the words "Caroline Louise Flack 1979-2020".

Her management company criticised the CPS for pressing ahead with what it called a "show trial" even after her boyfriend said he did not support it.

Lawyers have said prosecutors may have pressed ahead with assault charges against Miss Flack due to high public concern around domestic violence.

*For help and support visit www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk. Alternatively call the Samaritans 24/7 free helpline on 116123 or visit www.samaritans.org

Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2014. Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire Pasha Kovalev and Caroline Flack winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2014. Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

This is the full message Caroline Flack wrote and was advised not to post on social media. Her family wants to share it through the EDP.

"For a lot of people, being arrested for common assault is an extreme way to have some sort of spiritual awakening but for me it's become the normal.

I've been pressing the snooze button on many stresses in my life - for my whole life. I've accepted shame and toxic opinions on my life for over 10 years and yet told myself it's all part of my job. No complaining.

The problem with brushing things under the carpet is .... they are still there and one day someone is going to lift that carpet up and all you are going to feel is shame and embarrassment.

On December the 12th 2019 I was arrested for common assault on my boyfriend ...Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet and all the walls that I had taken so long to build around me, collapsed. I am suddenly on a different kind of stage and everyone is watching it happen.

I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is .... It was an accident.

I've been having some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time.

But I am NOT a domestic abuser. We had an argument and an accident happened. An accident. The blood that someone SOLD to a newspaper was MY blood and that was something very sad and very personal.

The reason I am talking today is because my family can't take anymore. I've lost my job. My home. My ability to speak. And the truth has been taken out of my hands and used as entertainment.

I can't spend every day hidden away being told not to say or speak to anyone.

I'm so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through.

I'm not thinking about 'how I'm going to get my career back.' I'm thinking about how I'm going to get mine and my family's life back.

I can't say anymore than that."