Caroline Flack’s mother Christine has revealed details of the private funeral held for the star last week, after she took her own life.
The Love Island host’s funeral took place on Tuesday March 10 at Greenacres at Colney, near Norwich, a ceremonial park set in a 16 acre forest.
Speaking to local newspaper The Eastern Daily Press, Chris thanked the 200 friends who had ‘travelled from across the world’ for the two hour service, which was followed by a wake in a local pub.
Details: Caroline Flack’s mother Christine has revealed details of the private funeral held for the star last week, after she took her own life
In a photo obtained by The Eastern Daily Press, a white rose could be seen resting on the order of service which had a picture of Caroline on the front.
Described as ‘an enchanting place, with 16 acres of glorious mature woodland surrounding our award-winning ceremonial buildings,’ the venue is close to where Caroline grew up.
Her mother Chris said of the service: ‘There were lots of memories, smiles but mostly tears as we all remembered Carrie and the joy she had brought to all of our lives.
‘All the family would like to say thank you so much to all Carrie’s friends who travelled from all over the world to be there that day and who appreciated why we wanted to bring her back home to Norfolk.
‘Friends included all the old pals she had either worked alongside or presented with on Fash FC, I’m A Celebrity, Xtra Factor, Love Island, friends old and new from the world of Strictly, the Bake Off and many many more.’
Tributes to the presenter came from her old friends from schooldays and college days, Christine explained.
‘Her friends from schooldays, college days and present day also gathered to exchange stories and pay tributes to my beautiful girl.
‘Bye beautiful’: Caroline Flack’s friends, including Lou Teasdale (second from left) rallied round late star’s boyfriend Lewis Burton (second from right) on the day of her funeral on Tuesday
The service also included two moving live performances from West End And X Factor star Lucie Jones who sung She Used To Be Mine’ from the musical Waitress, and Caroline’s close friend Ciara, who performeda song written for Caroline ‘The Sulking Room’.
Guests wore t-shirts designed by Caroline’s close friend Keith Lemon.
Caroline tragically took her own life at her home in Stoke Newington, a day after learning the CPS would be pursuing a case of assault against her following a row with Lewis at her home in December.
One of Caroline’s closest friends, Lou Teasdale, shared pictures from the day on Instagram last week, as she remembered Caroline, along with the late star’s boyfriend Lewis Burton, 27.
Lou, 36, wore a Choose Love T-shirt similar to one Caroline had worn before, as did the host’s best friend Mollie Grosberg.
Bye beautiful: Lou, who always made sure she was there for Caroline, shared this poignant caption alongside the photograph on the sad day
Important message: She had also worn a Choose Love T-shirt, similar to the one Caroline had worn before
There for one another: Another of Caroline’s best friends, Mollie Grosberg shared this picture of herself and Lou on the day and they both wore Choose Love T-shirts
‘Yesterday, we celebrated you!’ On Wednesday morning, fellow TV presenter Zoe Hardman shared a picture of herself on a night out with Caroline a she paid tribute to her
Special: Another friend, Natalie Pinkham shared a beautiful picture of herself with Caroline and wrote: ‘Goodnight sweet soul ❤️’
Louise Redknapp shared this picture and wrote: ‘Thinking of you always’
Another friend, Natalie Pinkham shared a beautiful picture of herself with Caroline and wrote: ‘Goodnight sweet soul ❤️.’
And on Wednesday morning, fellow TV presenter Zoe Hardman shared a picture of herself on a night out with Caroline.
She penned: ‘Yesterday we celebrated you. Your laughter, your light, your one in a million energy, your dancing, your singing, your smile, your stories and the love you gave to each and every one of us.
‘It was beautiful, uplifting, heartbreaking, gut wrenching & wonderful all at the same time.
‘I feel SO grateful to have known you and had the moments we did together Carrie. This isn’t goodbye because deep down I know, I’ll see you on the dance floor again my friend.’
And another of Caroline’s friends, Louise Redknapp shared a touching picture with Caroline, writing: ‘Thinking of you, always.’
X Factor presenter, Dermot O’Leary shared a picture of himself dancing with Caroline.
An honour: Dermot O’Leary shared this sweet memory of himself with Caroline
He wrote: ‘Goodbye Tiny Dancer. Honour to have spent the day with your nearest and dearest, and privileged to have worked, laughed, drank, and danced alongside you. Hope you’re at peace, keep dancing. X’
Olly Murs, 35, who worked alongside Caroline on X Factor, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a sweet clip of himself kissing the late Love Island presenter during their time presenting The X Factor in 2015.
Speaking about Flack’s passing last week, ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall said: ‘So many people at ITV knew Caroline, including me, and it was unbelievably tragic.
‘I think that we can never know what is behind suicide. It is not in any way simple. It is a very, very complex thing.
‘We take advice from (mental health charities) Samaritans and Mind and we will continue to do that.’
Her family shared an Instagram post advisers had told her not to share online.
Part of it read: ‘I’m so sorry to my family for what I have brought upon them and for what my friends have had to go through.
‘I’m not thinking about “how I’m going to get my career back”. I’m thinking about how I’m going to get mine and my family’s life back.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local branch or go to www.samaritans.org
Always remembered: Olly Murs also paid tribute to Caroline on the day of her private funeral