Caroline Flack's 'Love Island' replacement calls out 'tabloids looking for a cheap sell' after TV host's death by suicide
Watch the full tribute above
A broadcaster and close friend of Caroline Flack has paid tribute to the “vivacious and loving” TV host following her death by suicide on Feb. 15 at the age of 40.
Laura Whitmore, who has known Flack for around 10 years and replaced her as host on the current series of Love Island, said in a tearful tribute on her Sunday morning radio show that “none of this makes sense.”
She also criticized “tabloids looking for a cheap sell” during the tribute.
Flack was found dead at her London home on Saturday.
Opening her show on BBC Radio 5 Live, Whitmore — who had previously tweeted her shock that Flack was dead — said she had been “debating whether I should, would or could come on air today.”
Her voice cracking, she said: “Yesterday we lost someone before their time.
“We’re going to talk about her and give her the respect that she deserves and that she didn’t always get.”
She also called out keyboard warriors and said they “need to look at themselves.”
She added, “To the newspapers who create clickbait, who demonize and tear down success. We’ve had enough.
“I’ve seen journalists and Twitter warriors talk about this tragedy and they themselves have twisted what the truth is. You don’t have to tear someone down to feel good about yourself.
“So to listeners, be kind, only you are responsible for how you treat others and what you put out in the world.
“Your words affect people. To paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell, to trolls hiding behind a keyboard: enough.”
Whitmore said she herself has “been harassed for just doing my job and this is where the problem is, and I want to use my platform to call people out because it’s gone too far.”
I’m trying to find the words but I can’t 💔 pic.twitter.com/FY3ppLzqsA
— Laura Whitmore (@thewhitmore) February 15, 2020
Whitmore, 34, said that “anyone who knew Caroline knew she was vivacious, loving and had a passion for life, which is why none of this makes sense.”
“Caroline loved dancing. Angels by Robbie Williams always reminds me of her because she danced so beautifully to it on [Strictly Come Dancing, the U.K. version of Dancing with the Stars, which Flack won in 2014], and I’m going to play that song after I’ve said what I want to say.”
She said Flack “loved music, she loved to dance, we shared many a dance floor at gigs, festivals.”
“She was bubbly, and for such a small stature commanded a room,” Whitmore added. “She loved to laugh and had the most infectious chuckle.
“She also had many struggles. I’m not going to pretend she’s perfect, but she lived every mistake publicly under the scrutiny of the media.”
Whitmore said Flack “loved to love” and “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.”
Whitmore also defending the dating show, saying: “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.”
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
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