‘Love Island’ Host’s Shock Death Revives Concerns Around Mental Health, Media Scrutiny

https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/love-island-caroline-flack-death-mental-health-itv-media-scrutiny-1203505241/

However, the broadcaster has received criticism for its handling of Flack’s assault charge in December. Dan Wootton, executive editor of British tabloid The Sun, wrote on Twitter on Saturday that Flack was “hung out to dry by ITV.”

“She was distraught they didn’t stand by her. And distraught about the lack of support she was given. Caroline and I were devastated to attend the funeral of our friend Mike Thalassitis last year. I cannot believe we are here again,” he wrote.

Wootton’s comments have received extensive criticism on social media, where users are highlighting the tabloid media’s negative coverage of Flack in recent months. The Sun has reportedly removed some pieces of online coverage in the wake of her death. The outlet posted an article as recently as Friday about a Valentine’s Day card mocking the presenter’s alleged assault of her partner, but that article is no longer available on The Sun website.
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Francis Ridley of Money Talent Management, which managed Flack, said in a statement on Saturday night that the star had in recent months “been under huge pressure because of an ongoing case and potential trial which has been well reported.”

“The Crown Prosecution Service pursued this when they knew not only how very vulnerable Caroline was but also that the alleged victim did not support the prosecution and had disputed the CPS version of events. The CPS should look at themselves today and how they pursued a show trial that was not only without merit but not in the public interest. And ultimately resulted in significant distress to Caroline.”