ITV preps for ‘Love Island’ return after host Caroline Flack’s death, aged 40

Caroline Flack

UK commercial broadcaster ITV is preparing to return Love Island to screens with an episode dedicated to its former host Caroline Flack, whose death was reported over the weekend.

News of Flack’s death from suicide first emerged on Saturday, prompting the show’s channel ITV2 to postpone both that day’s Love Island: Unseen Bits programme and the series’ Sunday night episode.

Flack, who was 40, had been at the centre of media scrutiny in the UK after being charged with assault by beating in December, following an incident at her London home involving her boyfriend, Lewis Burton. She denied the charge but was subsequently stood down from hosting duties by ITV.

Love Island

Laura Whitmore took Flack’s place on the sixth season – also the first winter version of the UK show – which debuted 12 January and is due to run until 23 February.

In a statement, ITV said: “Many people at ITV knew Caroline well and held her in great affection. All of us are absolutely devastated at this tragic news.”

The broadcaster added that the show had not been broadcast over the weekend “after careful consultation” between Caroline’s representatives and the Love Island production team. ITV confirmed that the series would return on Monday with “a tribute to Caroline, who will be forever in our hearts.”

Love Island has become a key fixture for ITV and was extended to run twice a year during the summer. The show and its broadcaster have, however, faced criticism for failing to support those working on the programme, after two former contestants reportedly committed suicide. ITV subsequently revamped its aftercare support for those working on the series.

Love Island is produced by ITV Studios Entertainment and Motion Content Group and distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.

In related news, fellow UK broadcaster Channel 4 confirmed it would pull its forthcoming series The Surjury, which explored the cosmetic surgery business and was to be hosted by Flack.