Caroline Flack earned a reputation as one of Britain’s most charismatic presenters, winning over viewers on shows like Love Island and X Factor over the course of her career.
Monday, February 15 marks one year since Caroline’s tragic death, with her friends and colleagues in the showbiz world remembering her eternal legacy on the screen.
Born in Enfield, just outside of London, Caroline’s interest in theatrics began as a child, when she began performing in pantomimes in her local village.
However, it wasn’t until 2002 when she made her big break in TV, rising to fame on Bo’Selecta! before becoming one of ITV’s biggest names in presenting.
Below we take a look at her life in pictures, from her famous friendships to some of her most dazzling moments on the screen.
Early years of fame
In the first flush of her career, Caroline co-presented TMi with Sam & Mark (Image: BBC)
In 2002, Caroline was cast to play Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles in the comedy sketch show Bo’ Selecta! alongside comedian Leigh Francis.
Aged 23 at the time, the stint was her first break in showbiz, paving the way for subsequent roles on E4 and E4 music, presenting quick slots between music videos.
Joining Saturday morning show TMi with Sam & Mark as a presenter in 2006, Caroline quickly became a familiar face to viewers of BBC Two and the CBBC Channel.
On the show, Caroline introduced a mix of cartoons and celebrity guests to viewers, chatting alongside musical duo Sam Nixon and Mark Rhodes.
Grafting her way through the industry, Caroline quickly earned a sterling reputation for her energy and charm on Brit telly.
Breakout success
Caroline appeared alongside Joe Swash as the host of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here NOW! (Image: ITV)
Teaming up with Reggie Yates, fans of Escape from Scorpion Island will remember Caroline as one of the show’s charming hosts back in 2007.
However, after stints behind the scenes on Big Brother’s Big Mouth and the Eurovision, breakout success came when Caroline replaced Kirsty Gallacher as the host of Gladiators.
Working alongside Ian Wright, she governed nail-biting competition rounds like Hang Tough, the Joust and the Eliminator on the Sky1 show.
Caroline won BBC Three’s Dancing on Wheels with her partner James O’Shea (Image: Fever Media)
Caroline also enjoyed fame as the host of I’m A Celeb spin-off show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here NOW!, which was later turned into Extra Camp.
Over the next few years, Caroline landed one major TV gig after another, appearing alongside Vernon Kay on The Whole 19 Yards and winning BBC Three’s Dancing on Wheels.
However, it was her stint on Simon Cowell’s primetime show The X Factor that truly cemented her success.
X Factor icon
Caroline was beloved as the presenter of Xtra Factor, chatting with the acts backstage (Image: Thames TV)
For many, Xtra Factor was one of Caroline’s most memorable shows, chewing the fat with contestants like One Direction and JLS behind the scenes.
Replacing Konnie Huq, Caroline hosted alongside Olly Murs, with the two forming a close friendship away from the cameras.
Caroline left the show in 2014, only to return the following year as the host of The X Factor, presenting the same series that saw Louisa Johnson crowned the champion.
While Caroline confirmed her official exit from the show in 2016, her time on The X factor secured her star status, making her a household name up and down the UK.
Strictly dazzler
Caroline and Pasha were awarded the Glitterball trophy back in 2014 (Image: PA)
Strictly Come Dancing has seen a number of memorable performers dance through its doors over the years, but Caroline’s 2014 win went down in show history.
Paired with professional Pasha Kovalev, Caroline earned a perfect score of 40 in the semi-finals, wooing the judges with her expert salsa.
They were crowned the series champions with an unbeatable total of 120 points, happily taking home the Glitterball trophy.
Last December, Strictly marked Caroline’s legacy on the Christmas special, revisiting her contemporary showdance to “Angels”.
Praising the X Factor star, judge Alesha Dixon mused: “What was so beautiful about Caroline and Pasha’s showdance is she was her authentic self within the dance. You could see her heart, you could see her passion.”
Love Island’s sweetheart
Caroline hosted both Love Island and the popular spin-off Aftersun
Love Island’s first few seasons wouldn’t be the same without Caroline’s onscreen presence, sashaying into recouplings and eliminations in the infamous villa.
Caroline also fronted the spin-off show, Aftersun, which saw dramatic confessionals from exiting Islanders before a live studio audience.
Known for her compassion on the show, Caroline would often comfort the reality stars, offering them support with the simplest of gestures.
Caroline accepted the award for Best Reality and Constructed Factual Series at the British Academy Television Awards in 2018 (Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to Express.co.uk in 2018, she recalled the previous series of the show, saying: “Last year when I went in and saw Camilla [Thurlow] after Jonny [Mitchell] had made her cry.
“I nearly went up to her and gave her a hug as I really wanted to let her know the nation was behind her. But I couldn’t!
“So I just tried with my eyes to let her know that I care.”
In 2019, Laura Whitmore took over from Caroline as the presenter, with the show travelling to South Africa for its first-ever winter series.
Famous friends
Olly and Caroline first got to know one another behind-the-scenes on Xtra Factor (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
Caroline had friends in every corner of the showbiz world, with tens of celebrities remembering the special bond they’d shared with the presenter after her death.
During a performance at The Grand Clapham last October, Louise Redknapp sang an emotional rendition of the song Together Again in her memory.
Her Xtra Factor co-star Olly Murs remembered the star with a heartfelt goodbye, marking her funeral on March 10 of last year.
Keith helped to design a range of charity T-shirts in Caroline’s memory (Image: Getty Images)
At the time, he said: “Today was so hard but you know what goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean I’ll miss you caz until we meet again.”
Keith Lemon, whose real name is Leigh Francis, also created a range of “Be Kind” t-shirts in Caroline’s memory, raising money for Samaritans.
Having touched the hearts of many, Caroline’s other close celeb friends include the likes of Love Island narrator Iain Stirling and model Pixie Lott.
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
