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Caroline Flack's torment revealed: 'Within 24 hours my whole world and future was swept from under my feet'

Caroline Flack
Caroline Flack

Caroline Flack's family have released an unpublished Instagram post she wrote before she died in which she says the domestic incident involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton was an accident.

The note - which Flack was advised not to post - said: "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."

The television presenter stepped down from presenting ITV's Love Island after an alleged assault on Mr Burton, to which she pleaded not guilty in December.

Flack's note went on to say: "I have always taken responsibility for what happened that night. Even on the night. But the truth is .... It was an accident."

She said she had been having "some sort of emotional breakdown for a very long time".

The presenter - who was found dead in her London home four days ago - said pictures from the scene of the incident featured her own blood and were sold to a newspaper, although she did not say who was responsible for leaking the images.

Flack, who grew up in Norfolk, closed the post with an apology to her family and friends.

An Instagram post showed Caroline Flack and her boyfriend Lewis Burton in happier times
An Instagram post showed Caroline Flack and her boyfriend Lewis Burton in happier times

Caroline Flack's unpublished Instagram post, in full

This is the full message Caroline Flack wrote and was advised not to post on social media.

The note was composed in January but was never published. On Wednesday, her family shared it through the Eastern Daily Press.

"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."

'In a nasty world, just be kind', urges Caroline Flacks mother in tribute

Caroline Flack's mother Chris spoke to the Eastern Daily Press about the message her daughter had compiled.

She told the family's local paper: "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.'"

Inquest into Flack's death discloses how she killed herself

Caroline Flack hanged herself at home, an inquest into her death has disclosed.

Coroner's officer Sandra Polson said police were driving through Northwold Road, Stoke Newington, on Saturday February 15 when they were flagged down.

Officers followed "informants" into Flack's home and found her "lying on her back, she had apparently been found hanging", the hearing at Poplar Coroner's Court in east London was told.

Police attempted resuscitation, which was then continued by paramedics, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her body was identified by her sister, Jody Flack. The inquest heard the provisional cause of death was given as suspension by ligature.

The hearing, which lasted four minutes, was adjourned until August 5.

The coroner Sarah Bourke reminded those present not to make a sound recording during the hearing.

No members of Ms Flack's family were present.

Flack's death, confirmed on Saturday evening, was the latest connected to the ITV2 show and prompted a tidal wave of grief from celebrity friends and members of the public.

Flack stepped down from presenting the current winter series of Love Island after an alleged assault on boyfriend Lewis Burton.

The TV star pleaded not guilty at a court hearing in December and was released on bail.

But she was ordered to stop having any contact with Burton ahead of a trial which had been due to begin in March.

The troubled dating show did not air on Saturday or Sunday as a mark of respect to her family and returned on Monday with a tribute to Flack, who started hosting the programme in 2015.

Numbers to call
Numbers to call