Love Island's Laura Whitmore condemns 'keyboard trolls' after Caroline Flack death

From Digital Spy

Love Island host Laura Whitmore has paid tribute to her friend Caroline Flack, who passed away on Saturday (February 15) at the age of 40, saying that she wants to use her platform to "call people out" on their behaviour.

Caroline was sadly found dead in her London flat after taking her own life and a huge number of tributes have been paid to the presenter since her passing.

Speaking on her BBC Radio 5 Live radio show on Sunday (February 16), Laura said that her friend had "loved to love" and called for a change in the way some people use social media.

"To paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell, to trolls hiding behind a keyboard – enough," she said.

"Caroline loved to love. That's all she wanted. Which is why a show like Love Island was important to her, because the show is about finding love, friendship, having a laugh. The problem wasn't the show. The show to work on is loving and caring and safe and protected.

"The problem is, the outside world is not. Anyone who has ever compared one woman against another on Twitter, knocked someone because of their appearance, invaded someone else's privacy, who have made mean, unnecessary comments on an online forum need to look at themselves."

The presenter added that she had decided to host her show as usual to talk about Caroline and "to give her the respect she deserves".

Before playing Robbie Williams's 'Angels', which she said always reminds her of Caroline, Laura said: "Caroline, I'm so sad for you, for your family. I'm angry that you saw this as your only option as I know how much love and support you had. I'm sorry you didn't know that.

"I am not sure when, but I know I'll see you on the dance floor again and I hope you are at peace and know that you are loved."

Laura also posted a tribute to Caroline on Twitter, sharing a poem and a photo of the two together.

We would encourage anyone who identifies with the topics raised in this article to reach out. Organisations who can offer support include Samaritans on 116 123 (www.samaritans.org) or Mind on 0300 123 3393 (www.mind.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to visit mentalhealth.gov or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

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