Sunday night’s Dancing On Ice was an especially emotional one, following the death of Caroline Flack.
The live show opened with a tribute from presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, with the former struggling to hold back tears as he remembered the late Love Island host.
“We’d like to begin tonight’s show by taking a moment to remember Caroline Flack in light of yesterday’s awful news,” Phillip began.
“We wanted to say that our hearts go out to her family and friends.”
Holly continued: “Many of us here on the show knew Caroline as a friend and we will all miss her enormously.
“As Caroline herself recently posted, in a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
Later in the show, contestant Joe Swash was also visibly emotional as he took to the ice a day after the death of his friend and former co-host.
After completing his routine, which earned him his highest score of the series, Joe became tearful as he admitted it had been a tough day.
Joe was then comforted by Holly and Phil, as well as his partner Alex Murphy, with Phillip telling viewers: “We’ve got to point out to everybody you were very, very close with Caroline. So I know this has been an amazingly tough day. She’d be so proud of you Joe.”
“I just want to send my love to her family and my condolences, you know?” Joe responded.
Joe co-presented two series of I’m A Celebrity spin-off series Get Me Out Of Here NOW! in 2009 and 2010, and remained friends after she left the ITV2 show.
Since her family’s lawyer revealed Caroline had taken her own life, a number of stars who knew and worked with her have been paying their respects, including stars from both Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing, which she won in 2015.
Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore also paid an emotional tribute on her BBC 5 Live show on Sunday morning, urging people to be kind to one another.
Downing Street said Caroline’s death was a “tragedy”.
A No.10 spokesperson said: “Caroline’s death was a tragedy and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Dancing On Ice airs on Sunday nights on ITV.
Useful websites and helplines:
- Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
- Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI – this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
- The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.
