Caroline Flack’s mum Christine has admitted she finds it “horrible” seeing Laura Whitmore on screen because she has almost the same dress and pose as Caroline did when she hosted the ITV2 show.
Caroline’s mum has slammed ITV over the return of the dating show in the wake of her daughter’s death, and confessed that she struggles to see new presenter Laura Whitmore on her TV set as it reminds her of her late daughter.
Brave mum Christine confessed she hasn’t watched Love Island since her daughter passed away.
She then revealed that she finds it “horrible” seeing the advert of Laura Whitmore for the show as she’s wearing almost the same outfit as Caroline did, and posing in nearly the same way.
(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
She told The Sun: “I haven’t watched Love Island since she died. Carrie loved that show, she loved the crew, she loved the contestants.
“I watched Love Island because Carrie was in it. Now, it’s horrible when the advert comes up and the girl that’s taken her place is all in almost the same dress, in almost the same pose.
“I think ITV2 could have done it a little differently. They could have done it out of respect. It’s all very well putting these films on saying, ‘Oh, we love Carrie blah blah blah. But you know, just have a little bit of respect.”
(Image: ITV)
Irish presenter and model Laura, 36, began hosting Love Island in January 2020 – taking over from Caroline when she passed.
Christine also hit out at the broadcaster, claiming that although the show is all about “making couples fight and not about bringing them into love”, they still let Caroline leave after her row with her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Caroline hosted the mallorca-based show from 2015 until 2019, when she left the series after being arrested for assault allegations – but before a proposed court case had begun.
At the time, ITV issued the following statement: “TV has a longstanding relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision. We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island.”
Caroline herself issued her own statement at the time, which read: “There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regards to my personal life. While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can’t comment further on these matters until the legal process is over.
(Image: ITV)
“However, Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it’s the best show on telly. In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is to stand down for Series 6. I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town.”
She sadly passed away on February 15th last year at the age of 40 – with a coroner’s inquest ruling her death came from suicide.
Flack had previously spoken out about her mental health issues.
Discussing Caroline’s mental health and death, Christine said that she was known as a “happy-go-lucky girl”, but was scared of people seeing her “dark side”.
She commented: “She was just known as this happy-go-lucky girl; she was petrified of people seeing her dark side, and thinking she was ‘mental’. The thing that really upset her was the phrase, ‘you’re mental’.
(Image: Instagram)
“Saying that to someone who’s got mental health is the worst thing in the world you can say. It’s weaponised.”
The Star Online has contacted ITV for Comment.
If you or someone you know is struggling and needs to talk, call the free Samaritans helpline 24/7 on 116 123. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or find your local branch online.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
