Movies

Caroline Flack Friends vs Family: Bitter Feud Revealed in Upcoming Docuseries

BBG News

Five years ago, when Caroline Flack sadly passed away, she left behind a wide group of friends who have honored their vows to keep her essence vibrant – they’ve even established an annual festival in her honor every year.

Her impact on countless lives serves as an enduring tribute to the late Love Island host who passed away at 40 in February 2020; it also provides solace for her family. However, the current state of those relationships is regrettably more complex than one might hope.

Friends who are particularly close to the star are currently facing a deep divide with her relatives, stemming from their concerns that an upcoming documentary might unfairly assign responsibility for her passing.

In the previous month, Katie Hind from The Mail disclosed that Christine, Caroline’s mother, plays a pivotal role in the upcoming documentary about the late celebrity on Disney+. This documentary will meticulously recount Caroline’s last 24 hours and attempt to provide some clarity regarding her untimely death, as well as speculate if there were possibilities to save her life.

The program will reveal the tension that arose among Christine’s closest friends, such as Lou Teasdale and Mollie Grosberg, who took care of the presenter prior to her passing, due to their differences arising from Christine’s previous suicide attempt.

In the original scenario, it was Caroline’s twin sister Jodie who was supposed to step in, but before she could arrive, both Lou and Mollie had already departed. This action – a topic of debate in the upcoming documentary – has sparked fury among her friends, as they believe they have been unfairly accused for Caroline’s demise, feeling like they have been ‘scapegoated.’

https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/html_modules/2025/01_JAN/250115_caroline_flack_friendships/index.html

A day following the news of her upcoming criminal trial for assault allegations against her partner, Lewis Burton, Caroline was unfortunately discovered deceased.

Currently, it’s being reported that Caroline’s mom is similarly distressed because a few of her daughter’s friends continue their relationship with Lewis, despite him getting together with Lottie Tomlinson shortly following the television host’s passing.

Lately, Christine has criticized certain supposed entertainment friends of hers, whom she accused of inappropriately mourning Caroline’s death. One specific remark was directed towards Laura Whitmore.

It appears that other individuals like Ashley Roberts, similar to her, seem to have been excluded from Caroline’s close group, as she hasn’t attended the Flackstock charity event for the past two years, which might be because of her strong bond with Lou and Lottie.

It appears that Christine hasn’t fully disassociated herself from Caroline’s inner circle, as names like Olly Murs, Louise Redknapp, and Dawn O’Porter are still held in high regard by her.

Which individuals from Caroline’s group are not favored by her family anymore, and who has managed to maintain their good standing with the family instead?

Lou Teasdale

Over the past twenty years, Lou has built an intricate network of celebrity friends, fashionable associates, and even a football player beau, since she left her home in Yorkshire to chase her ambitions as a hair stylist in London.

A popular social media personality, with over 5 million Instagram followers, is currently showcasing her new relationship with former England soccer player, Andy Carroll. This comes shortly after his separation from his reality TV celebrity spouse, Billi Mucklow, on TOWIE (The Only Way Is Essex).

She started working on the popular ITV series, The X Factor, back in 2010, serving as a stylist for the top eight contestants. This position not only marked her professional journey but also initiated a lasting friendship with Caroline, who took over as host of the spin-off show, The Xtra Factor, starting from 2011.

Although the skilled hairstylist and makeup artist had worked tirelessly for the rising talents in the show and its following tour, they were eventually headhunted by One Direction. Subsequently, they became the primary stylist and makeup artist for the five-piece band after consistently receiving requests from them to collaborate on their projects.

At the age of 25, Lou was nearly the same age as the members of the band. Her vibrant pop style, characterized by colorful hair and bold makeup, perfectly aligned with the taste of the band’s young fanbase.

Consequently, the charm of the boy band swiftly influenced her, resulting in Lou gaining an enormous fanbase on social media platforms.

I hopped aboard the One Direction tour train as their fame exploded, and let me tell you, whispers about the romantic entanglements between Lou and Harry Styles were rife throughout our time together.

Besides Harry, Lou also developed a strong bond with their bandmate Louis Tomlinson, which extended to his younger sibling Lottie as well.

Lou brought Lottie on board as an assistant during one of her brother’s tours when Lottie was only 15. Initially, Lottie worked under Lou as an intern, but their professional relationship quickly transformed into a close bond. Together, they brainstormed social media content and developed a strong friendship.

Since then, they’ve teamed up to establish Tanologist, a line of vegan and cruelty-free self-tanning products. In this venture, Lou takes on the role of creative director.

Their close relationship ensures that she continues to maintain a strong bond with Lewis Burton, who is currently engaged to Lottie (Caroline’s boyfriend).

Notably, both individuals share a close friendship with the renowned singer Ashley Roberts, formerly of The Pussycat Dolls, who was additionally part of Caroline’s social circle during her lifetime.

Ever since Caroline’s passing, there has been speculation about why Lou and Mollie Grosberg, a mutual friend, were not with Caroline on the day she tragically ended her life, leading to questions being posed as to their absence.

Lately, Lou’s bond with Caroline has been a subject of criticism, as people are questioning if she and Mollie should have taken additional steps to support Caroline when she needed it most.

It was up to Caroline’s friends to take care of her, as one of Caroline’s friends informed The Mail last week. However, it seemed that Caroline’s family wasn’t present. Louise, a close friend, had to return to her young daughter and couldn’t stay any longer.

For numerous hours, they were with Caroline, attempting to persuade her to visit the hospital, yet she refused. They chose to stay at her apartment to ensure her well-being, but their presence couldn’t be indefinite, so they left.

It’s unfortunate that they are now facing the blame from Caroline’s mom. Once, Christine and Lou were very close, but that’s no longer the case.

Caroline’s passing has deeply affected her companions, transforming their lives in profound ways. Some believe it’s best to let her rest undisturbed. However, this upcoming documentary may stir old memories and, unintentionally or not, could potentially shift blame towards specific areas.

After the emergence of these claims, Lou has maintained that she did everything possible to assist Caroline in a deeply emotional Instagram post discussing suicide.

Alongside her social media post, Lou, together with her partner Andy Carroll, also contributed £1000 to the You Are Not Alone program run by the charity.

Mollie Grosberg

With Louise, Mollie was both present at Caroline’s apartment within the same residence. They both share a feeling of being accused for their friend’s demise and excluded by Christine.

Mollie, the production manager, has publicly expressed that she’ll never truly move past her loss. As one of her friends put it, “Mollie was a wonderful friend to Caroline.” It was clear that she would go to great lengths to help her.

In the year 2021, Mollie mourned the loss of her dearest friend while readying herself for a charitable hike aimed at collecting funds for The Samaritans.

In an interview on BBC Breakfast, she expressed that she’s always accompanied by her, suggesting that most people who were close to her likely reflect on her daily as well.

It’s challenging for anyone who experiences the loss of someone they care about, and that includes those who lose someone due to suicide. This topic can be complex and difficult to navigate. On a personal note, I’ve found that my mental wellbeing has been significantly impacted by this experience.

However, it’s worth noting that the Samaritans aren’t only a charity for individuals contemplating suicide, they extend their support to friends and family members of those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts as well.

I find this situation extremely difficult to handle, and I’m unsure if I’ll be able to move past it, regardless of whether the person was an acquaintance or a close friend or family member. The loss of someone in such a manner is incredibly tough to overcome.

Mollie also mentioned that exercising has been beneficial for her, and arranging this hike to honor Caroline and collect funds for the Samaritans is of great significance.

Lewis Burton

Previously, Christine expressed the opinion that Caroline’s relationship with Lewis significantly impacted her (Caroline).

2019 saw a heated argument between the two at a late hour, instigated when Caroline discovered text messages from another woman on his phone. This incident led to her attacking him with a lamp, which resulted in her being charged with assault and eventually triggered a mental breakdown that ultimately ended in her suicide on February 15, 2020.

Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to embark on a beautiful journey with my dear friend Lottie Tomlinson. This week, we were overjoyed to welcome our second bundle of joy into our lives.

Christine’s romantic situation has proven challenging for her, particularly as Caroline disapproved of Lewis and Lottie’s friendship.

According to a friend of Caroline’s who spoke to The Mail, it’s undoubtedly heartbreaking for Christine. She recently lost her daughter, while Lewis seems to have transformed into an influencer, enjoying a seemingly happy life with his girlfriend, and preparing to welcome a new child as a father for the second time.

1) He’s managed to leave the past behind, discover joy once more – something Caroline hasn’t been able to do, which is truly sad. It’s surprising that Lewis found another chance at love so soon, and while everyone thought he deserved it, the swiftness of it all took us by surprise.

After discovering that her criminal trial for assaulting Lewis was moving forward, despite an initial promise of merely receiving a caution, Caroline tragically took her own life.

Caroline was worried that the police body camera recordings from the night of the incident would be shown in court. To her friend, she admitted she’d prefer not to live if those videos were played out in a public setting.

After the occurrence, Lewis chose not to speak with the police about the incident, hoping it might cause them to dismiss the charges. However, the police persisted regardless, which, as reported by her friends, left Caroline feeling devastated.

Lewis has maintained a strong bond with Caroline’s friends, Lou and Mollie, which is another reason causing discomfort for Christine, and has further strained his relationship with his own group of friends.

One acquaintance of the TV host noted that Christine may assume Caroline’s companions abandoned Lewis, but this isn’t true and it’s challenging for her to accept.

It’s worth noting that Lewis didn’t consistently exhibit kindness towards Caroline, and there’s a lot of chatter regarding her providing him funds for a purpose that remains unclear to many.

Christine believes that, had Caroline not gone out with Lewis, she could have been present here today.

Lottie Tomlinson

Lottie and Lewis started their relationship back in July 2020. They formed a connection through their mutual sorrow following the passing of their beloved family members.

In more recent times, the influencer experienced the tragic loss of both her mother and sister, while Caroline Flack passed away in February 2020 for Lewis.

18-year-old Lottie’s beloved sister, Félicité, passed away due to a tragic drug overdose, marking three sad years since their mother Johannah lost her battle with cancer.

At a house party hosted by Lou Teasdale, a good friend of Caroline, in May 2020 – a gathering organized to commemorate three months since her passing – Lottie had the chance to get to know Lewis better.

On August 9, 2022, they delightfully shared via Instagram that they had given birth to their son, whom they named Lucky. Additionally, they joyously welcomed their second child, a baby girl, on a recent Thursday.

Previously, Caroline, who was once friends with Lottie, had expressed her discomfort about Lewis being near her, prior to Lottie’s passing.

Six months following the presenter’s tragic demise, I too found myself wrestling with grief, just like her mother, Christine. In a poignant social media post, she expressed her sorrow beneath a snapshot capturing the joyous moment shared by Caroline and Lewis on a picturesque picnic blanket.

‘He is now in the same pose, different girl,’ the post said.

The ‘different girl’ being referred to was social media influencer Lottie.

Close friends find it extremely challenging for Christine as she observes Lewis openly transitioning, given that they understand her feelings toward Lewis are quite distant.

Ever since Lewis publicly declared his affection for Carrie on social media after her passing, it’s left me feeling deeply saddened and perplexed to witness him seemingly move forward so swiftly in life.

If Carrie had ended that relationship, we think she’d still be here with us today. It’s painful to see his extravagant posts. Without his high-profile romance with Carrie, they probably wouldn’t have met Lottie.

Ashley Roberts

Before Caroline passed away, she and Ashley were often seen as close friends in public. The Pussycat Dolls member expressed her grief for her friend by posting an emotional tribute on social media after Caroline’s demise.

In a simpler and more conversational way: “Hey Ashley, you know we’ve been friends for a while, right? I’ve been struggling these past few days since learning about… well, it’s Caroline Flack.

In a struggle to keep the tears at bay, Ashley went on saying: “This experience has been quite unreal for those of us who were close to her…

Although it seems difficult to find any silver lining here, it might serve as a reminder of the importance of treating one another with kindness and respect.

Ashley shared a personal story about suicide, having lost her father, Pat, to suicide in March 2018.

After Caroline’s passing, Ashley has kept up a close friendship with her best friend Lou. They’ve been spotted together in various social media posts, enjoying a fun night out.

It seems that this friendship has caused a rift between Caroline’s family, which has become noticeable at the latest installments of the charitable event, Flackstock.

In 2022, Ashley attended an event held in memory of Caroline alongside several other prominent figures. However, over the last two years, Ashley’s presence at such events has been conspicuously missing.

Laura Whitmore 

Caroline’s dear friend, Laura, earlier expressed her deep sense of privilege when given the chance to replace Caroline as the host of Love Island after her passing. She hoped that hosting the show would serve as a meaningful and appropriate homage to her friend.

Yet, it seems that Christine perceives the situation quite differently, as evidenced by her statement in a 2021 interview where she criticized friends whom she considered disingenuous in their expressions of grief.

Additionally, it seemed she subtly criticized Laura by mentioning her as “the one who took over her spot” instead of using her name.

As a devoted follower, I too find myself voicing similar sentiments to Christine. It seems that the ITV executives have shown a disregard for respect by dismissing Caroline from hosting Love Island after her arrest over an assault allegation involving her partner Lewis.

She shared with The Sun, “I used to watch Love Island because Carrie was a part of it. Now, it’s disconcerting when an advertisement appears and the new girl, who has replaced Carrie, is dressed almost identically and posed similarly.

‘I think ITV2 could have done it a little differently. They could have done it out of respect.’

Christine challenged people who claimed they were close to Caroline and displayed their sorrow openly, asserting that the real celebrities who were close to her daughter were Natalie Pinkham and Dawn O’Porter.

She mentioned, “It’s tough. Seeing someone on TV this week refer to her as a friend was quite painful.

Laura stepped down from hosting Love Island in 2023, and she has since been replaced by Maya Jama.

… and the friends who are still in Christine’s favour

In contrast to several who find themselves on the outside looking in due to Christine’s actions, I’ve been fortunate enough to remain within her favor.

Previously, I’ve mentioned my delightful interactions with the remarkable Natalie Pinkham, benevolent CEO Josie Naughton, and gifted wordsmith Dawn O’Porter. Notably, Dawn made a heartwarming visit from sunny Los Angeles to honor Caroline on her special day. As an ardent fan, I can hardly contain my excitement at the opportunity to connect with these inspiring individuals!

She mentioned that Josie and Caroline became friends while living together in Camden. She made Dawn’s acquaintance during her stint as a presenter for I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp, and Natalie during their work on a poker program. These are the friends I am familiar with.

It’s pleasant for me to be around Natalie, Josie, and Dawn, but it can be painful when I encounter individuals who claim they knew her.

2022 saw Dawn taking part in organizing Flackstock, while she also shared thoughts about her late friend during an interview with The Irish Examiner in September.

At times, as I stroll along the street, her humor comes back to me, her vibrancy, the fact that she was simply the most amusing person in my world,” she muses.

Instead of viewing her life as a tragic story, that perspective might be the most tragic aspect of all. So, a few of us organized an event called Flackstock in her memory – it began as a spontaneous, “what on earth are we doing?” kind of endeavor and has now evolved into a recognized festival.

In remembering Caroline, I want to emphasize that the way her life ended, through suicide, does not encapsulate who she truly was. Suicide doesn’t define Caroline; it merely marks the unfortunate end of her extraordinary existence. She was a radiant soul, filled with effervescence, joy, and an infectious sense of fun. Through Flackstock, we are given the opportunity to celebrate the joy she brought into our lives.

In April, Natalie announced that she had participated in the London Marathon, dedicating her run to Caroline, and also contributed funds to The Samaritans. Similarly, she served on the committee responsible for arranging the Flackstock Festival, much like Dawn did.

Louise Redknapp is often seen gracing the stage at this festival, but unfortunately had to miss out last year. She expressed her regrets for the absence via social media platforms.

In addition, she commemorated the day Caroline passed away in February, posting on Instagram: “Today serves as a reminder that kindness matters most and supporting one another is crucial.

Every single day finds me reflecting on you, may you continue to twinkle like a star above, this melody is forever dedicated to you. Show compassion always. XXX

Olly, the frequent performer at Flackstock, recently opened up about his friendship with Caroline, whom he refers to as a significant and influential figure in his personal life.

2009 saw The X Factor’s famous star share about his exceptionally strong bond with his wife Amelia during their joint presentation of The Xtra Factor, following the birth of their first child together.

Regarding a significant figure in his life and work, Olly openly acknowledged: ‘She held a substantial role in my personal and professional journey. She was a unique individual and dear friend. Our bond was intriguing yet rewarding. It’s astonishing because others claim they appear in one’s dreams upon passing.’

Olly, the main act at Flackstock being held in honor of Caroline, shared that he often experiences her visits in his dreams, a phenomenon he finds very “touching” or “sweet.

He mentioned that it’s strange when people claim they dream about you… Interestingly, Caroline does this quite often. It’s uncanny yet delightful when such instances occur.

Previously, he disclosed that he had attempted a meeting with Caroline just prior to her passing, but unfortunately, she failed to appear. Moreover, he openly acknowledged that the incident is something he often ponders over.

Read More

2025-01-19 14:50

Previous post How Hollywood lost the culture war
Next post Guess Who’s Behind the Sheet Mask