Love Island has been cancelled following news of former presenter Caroline Flack’s tragic death.
The 40-year-old was found dead in her London home on Saturday, having taken her own life.
Hours after her death was announced, ITV decided against airing the Saturday special of Love Island Unseen Bits.
Tonight’s episode has been cut from the schedule, one week before the winter edition’s finale was due to air.
ITV bosses have confirmed that the show will air tomorrow after working with Caroline’s representatives to come to a decision on the current series.
An ITV spokesperson said: “Many people at ITV knew Caroline well and held her in great affection. All of us are absolutely devastated at this tragic news.
“After careful consultation between Caroline’s representatives and the Love Island production team and given how close we still are to the news of Caroline’s tragic death we have decided not to broadcast tonight’s Love Island out of respect for Caroline’s family.
Former Love Island host Caroline Flack was found dead in her London home on Saturday (Image: ITV)
“Love Island will return tomorrow night which will include a tribute to Caroline who will be forever in our hearts.”
Caroline became the face of the series back in 2015, presenting the spin-off show Love Island Aftersun and joining the Islanders for each recoupling.
She stepped down from the role ahead of the winter edition of the series, after she was arrested at her London home following an alleged altercation with her boyfriend last December.
Caroline’s longtime friend Laura Whitmore was cast as the presenter in her place.
Following the news of her death, ITV released a statement, paying tribute to her legacy on the network.
It read: “Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.
“Caroline was a much-loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.”
The winter edition of the show is in the middle of filming, with the finale due to air next weekend (Image: PA)
The show has been plagued by controversy in recent years, following the deaths of two former contestants.
Sophie Gradon, 32, took her own life in 2018, having appeared on the second season of the reality show two years previously.
The following year, Mike Thalassitis, 26, took his own life after featuring in the 2017 installment of the show.
Former Love Island star Mike Thalassitis took his own life in March of last year (Image: PA)
Love Island’’ original series first aired in 2005, following a group of celebrity singletons over five weeks on an island in Fiji.
The series was revived in 2015, broadcasted each summer before ITV made the decision to introduce a winter edition last year.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
