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

Ex Love Island host Laura Whitmore has revealed her final text messages with Caroline Flack just before her tragic death.

The presenter decided 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 – 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 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.

Emmerdale’s Laura and Mark on fight against Usher syndrome

Laura has shared messages from Caroline ( 
Image:
Social Media)

They spoke about Laura taking over as Love Island host ( 
Image:
Social Media)

“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.”

Explaining why she wanted to share the final messages, 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 I’m sharing now.

Caroline sent love heart emojis in her final message to Laura ( 
Image:
Social Media)

Laura decided to share the messages on the fifth anniversary of Caroline’s death ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for EE)
“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.

“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.”