‘Love Island’ Host’s Shock Dying Revives Issues Round Psychological Well being, Media Scrutiny
The demise of standard “Love Island” host Caroline Flack has despatched shockwaves throughout the U.Ok. and once more raised long-running considerations about broadcaster ITV’s help of solid members on the hit actuality competitors in addition to the nation’s intense media scrutiny of public figures.
Flack, one of many U.Ok.’s most recognizable actuality hosts, was discovered lifeless in her condo on Saturday, a lawyer for her household confirmed. Tributes have begun accumulating for Flack, a mainstay on British tv, outdoors her house in East London.
In response to her demise, ITV cancelled Saturday’s version of “Love Island,” whereas Channel Four confirmed it’s pulling beauty surgical procedure collection “The Surjury,” which was to be hosted by Flack.
The 40-year-old star was set to face trial in simply over two weeks, months after she was arrested and charged with assault in December following a home dispute with accomplice Lewis Burton. Flack, who appeared in court docket in December, denied all allegations.
Nevertheless, shortly after the incident, ITV pulled the star from internet hosting the primary winter model of “Love Island,” which premiered in early January, changing her with Laura Whitmore, a detailed pal.
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Flack wrote on her Instagram account on Dec. 24 that “this type of scrutiny and hypothesis is lots to tackle for one individual,” earlier than including that she was taking outing to “get feeling higher and study some classes from conditions I’ve acquired myself into.”
Flack’s demise comes virtually a 12 months after the suicide of former “Love Island” contestant Mike Thalassitis and, beforehand, the reported suicide of contestant Sophie Gradon in June 2018. In response to the latter deaths, ITV rolled out an intensive plan to enhance its aftercare practices for contestants, guaranteeing help lengthy after they seem on the hit present, which is watched by tens of millions each evening within the U.Ok., the place it airs throughout two months in the summertime, and most just lately, winter.
Nevertheless, the broadcaster has acquired criticism for its dealing with of Flack’s assault cost in December. Dan Wootton, govt editor of British tabloid The Solar, wrote on Twitter on Saturday that Flack was “frolicked to dry by ITV.”
“She was distraught they didn’t stand by her. And distraught concerning the lack of help she was given. Caroline and I had been devastated to attend the funeral of our pal Mike Thalassitis final 12 months. I can not consider we’re right here once more,” he wrote.
Wootton’s feedback have acquired intensive criticism on social media, the place customers are highlighting the tabloid media’s damaging protection of Flack in latest months. The Solar has reportedly eliminated some items of on-line protection within the wake of her demise. The outlet posted an article as just lately as Friday a couple of Valentine’s Day card mocking the presenter’s alleged assault of her accomplice, however that article is now not obtainable on The Solar web site.
To Wootton’s level, nonetheless, ITV will obtain its share of scrutiny within the wake of Flack’s demise. The broadcaster stated earlier this 12 months that the door was “nonetheless open” for Flack to return to host the summer season version of “Love Island,” however has made no additional bulletins with reference to her future with the broadcaster.
That is in distinction to ITV presenter Ant McPartlin – one half of leisure duo Ant and Dec – who was fined £86,000 for a drunk driving incident involving a younger household in March 2018. He has since returned to internet hosting duties on the broadcaster.
Forward of her demise, Flack had reportedly acquired phrase that the Crown Prosecution Service was forging forward together with her trial, which was set to start on March 4.
Francis Ridley of Cash Expertise Administration, which managed Flack, stated in an announcement on Saturday evening that the star had in latest months “been beneath big stress due to an ongoing case and potential trial which has been properly reported.”
“The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this once they knew not solely how very susceptible Caroline was but additionally that the alleged sufferer didn’t help the prosecution and had disputed the CPS model of occasions. The CPS ought to take a look at themselves at this time and the way they pursued a present trial that was not solely with out advantage however not within the public curiosity. And finally resulted in vital misery to Caroline.”
In October, months earlier than her assault cost, Flack marked World Psychological Well being Day with an Instagram submit: “I’m fortunate to have the ability to decide myself up when issues really feel s**t. However what occurs if somebody can’t. Be good to folks. You by no means know what’s occurring. Ever.”
