Laura Whitmore shares final texts with Caroline Flack five years after death
Love Island host Laura Whitmore has shared her final text conversation with Caroline Flack, just days before the star's tragic death, as she says she's 'thankful'
Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore has shared a touching and emotional tribute to the late Caroline Flack by revealing their last text exchange before Caroline's untimely death. Reflecting on their bond during the fifth anniversary of her friend's passing, Laura posted the heartfelt messages on Instagram, opening up about their private conversation. The beloved TV personality Caroline tragically took her own life on 15 February 2020, a devastating event that occurred after learning her assault trial would proceed despite being told she might only receive a caution. In December 2019, Caroline had stepped down from Love Island amidst the legal issues, with Laura stepping in as her successor â a choice Caroline supported wholeheartedly.
On 18 December 2019, Caroline reached out to Laura with a supportive message: "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 warmly responded: "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." Laura also shared another tender moment from their conversation when she checked in on Caroline, saying: "Hey just checking in. I wanted to call but didn't want to disturb you.", reports the Mirror. Laura also revealed the supportive messages they shared before Laura took over as host of Love Island. Laura reminisced, "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."
Laura shared the messages between her and Caroline (Image: Social Media)
Laura said she didn't "know her well but I knew she had her demons" when sharing the messages (Image: Social Media)
To which Caroline affectionately replied with a red love heart emoji, saying, "I'm glad it you xxx." Laura expressed her gratitude: "That means a lot thank you x."
She then detailed their final texts, where she thanked Caroline for an Instagram message: "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 responded positively: "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 says she met Caroline in 2011 (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for EE)
The pair spoke about Laura taking over from Caroline as the presenter of Love Island (Image: Social Media)
Laura joked about her co-host: "I mean I NEVER actually see him ha! Hope you're somewhere lovely and see you soon xx."
Caroline sent four red love heart emojis in return. Laura explained that she decided to share these intimate messages after stumbling upon them while setting up her new phone. She confessed that revisiting the conversation "really hit me hard" and added, "I think they show a side to Caroline which is nice to remember. Hence I'm sharing now.
"She wasn't perfect and I didn't 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 I'm 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.
Laura took over as the host of Love Island from 2020
"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 wasn't my business. I didn't know her partner at the time and still don't."
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. I'd like to think wherever she is now, she's 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."
Caroline issued a public message when Laura was announced as the Love Island host in December 2019. She said: "I'm glad it's Laura. She loves the show as much as I do. Again... Thank you so much for your continuous messages of support. It's a really tough time... But I'm doing all I can to keep my head above water and sort this all out."
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