Ashley James sends Laura Whitmore poignant message about Caroline Flack
Presenter Laura Whitmore has revealed her final messages with Caroline Flack as the late TV star shared messages of support for her taking over as Love Island host
Presenter Laura Whitmore has revealed her final messages with Caroline Flack as the late TV star shared messages of support for her taking over as Love Island hostThis Morning star shares insight into Caroline Flack and Laura Whitmore relationship as she comments on texts (
Image: Getty Images)
This Morning star Ashley James has reassured Laura Whitmore than Caroline Flack was 'glad' that she took over from her on Love Island before her sad death.
Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, 39, revealed her final text messages with Caroline Flack just before her death in February 2020. Five years on from Caroline's death, Laura was granted a gift from the past - and decided to share it with the world.
Laura said she wanted to share the messages on the fifth anniversary of Caroline's death. Caroline sadly took her own life on 15 February, 2020. Her death came shortly after she learnt her criminal trial for allegedly assaulting then-boyfriend, Lewis Burton, was going ahead. She had initially being told she would only be given a caution.
Caroline stepped down from presenting Love Island in December 2019, with Laura becoming her replacement. She had publicly given Laura her full support and now the presenter has revealed they had private chats about it, too â and has posted her final text conversation with Caroline on her Instagram page. On 18 December 2019, Caroline had messaged Laura: "Hey xxx About to go see ITV. I hope you are doing the job xx. I wouldn't want it to be anyone else x."
Laura has shared her final messages with Caroline (
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for EE)
Laura has defended her decision to share Caroline's texts (
Image:
Getty Images)
Laura replied: "That's such a lovely message. I have met with them and had a conversation but nothing confirmed so we'll see how it goes." She then shared another screenshot from their chats as a message Laura sent to Caroline read: "Hey just checking in. I wanted to call but didn't want to disturb you.
"I've been offered the role for this series and they're going to announce it today. It's been back and forth last few days as you can imagine so I couldn't say anything to anyone until literally now but wanted to tell you first. I'll do my very best to give it the justice it deserves. How are you doing? xx."
Caroline replied with a red love heart emoji and added: "I'm glad it you xxx." Laura responded: "That means a lot thank you x." She then shared their final text exchange as Laura messaged: "Thanks so much for that insta message. You've no idea how lovely that is. Hope you're doing ok and we're all thinking of you and missing you."
Caroline said: "Thanks Laura... feeling a bit better... I really am looking forward to watching the show tho... it's perfect you and Iain doing it together xx." Laura replied: "I mean I NEVER actually see him ha! Hope you're somewhere lovely and see you soon xx." Caroline responded with four red love heart emojis."
Caroline told Laura that she was glad it was her taking over from her (
Image:
Social Media)
Caroline told Laura she was 'doing better' in the texts (
Image:
Social Media)
After sharing the messages, a number of Laura's famous pals have thanked her and supported her decision to share the intimate messages. Ashley James, was one of them. The presenter and model told Laura that before Caroline's death, she spoke with her about Laura taking over from her on Love Island.
"She told me she was glad it was you," Ashley wrote. Meanwhile, former Love Island star Laura Anderson added: "Thanks for sharing." And Lizzie Cundy penned: "Such a beautiful person inside and out."
Laura said she recently came across them when setting up her new phone. She admitted reading them again had "really hit me hard" and added in the caption: "I think they show a side to Caroline which is nice to remember. Hence Iâm sharing now.
"She wasnât perfect and I didnât know her as well as others but I knew she had her demons. I met Caroline in 2011 when I took over from her hosting Iâm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here Now. She was as supportive of me doing that role back then as she was when she supported me doing Love Island in 2020.
Ashley James has weighed in on Laura's texts with Caroline (
Image:
ashleylouisejames/Instagram)
Caroline died at the age of 40 in 2020 (
Image:
PA)
"Both were great shows with hundreds of people working on them and relying on the show going ahead. I will always be so thankful of the last messages between me and Caroline. I never asked her about the court case - it wasnât my business. I didnât know her partner at the time and still donât."
Laura continued: "This was the last correspondence I ever had with her. I really did hope she was somewhere lovely. A spa/ retreat/ rehab. I never knew the extent of her struggles or what was to come. The last message from her to me were love hearts. Iâd like to think wherever she is now, sheâs at peace and somewhere lovely like I hoped. Today I choose to remember these messages and thank the cloud for giving them back to me."
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