Love Island’s winter series came to an end on Sunday night, in a final which saw Paige Turley and Finley Tapp crowned champions ahead of Siannise Fudge and Luke Trotman.
While there were plenty of celebrations among the winners, the show also had a sad edge to it as presenter Laura Whitmore introduced a poignant tribute to Caroline Flack.
Laura choked up as she paid tribute to her friend, who passed away on 15 February aged 40.
Here’s how the show chose to honour her memory as the series came to a close.
How did the Love Island final pay tribute to Caroline Flack?
Following their previous tribute in the wake of her death – with the show being cancelled for two days afterwards before returning last Monday – Laura Whitmore told viewers how ‘difficult’ the past week had been following the tragedy,
‘The past week has been extremely difficult coming to terms with the loss of our friend and colleague Caroline,’ Laura said.
‘We’re thinking of her family and everyone who knew her at this time.’
A montage of moments from Caroline’s time on the show – and its spin-off Aftersun – then followed, showing her interaction with contestants over the years as well as with the show’s narrator Iain Stirling.
It followed Iain’s moving tribute when the show returned to screens last week, in which he said: ‘We are all absolutely devastated by the tragic news that Caroline, a much-loved member of our Love Island family, has passed away.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this dreadful time.’
‘Caroline and me, we were together from the very start of Love Island, and her passion, warmth and infectious enthusiasm were a crucial part of what made the show connect with millions of viewers.
‘Like many of you, right now we’re all just trying to come to terms with what has happened. My only hope is that we can all try and be kinder, always show love, and listen to one another.’
‘Caroline, I want to thank you for all the fun times we had making our favourite show. You were a true friend to me,’ Iain went on.
In a final heartbreaking moment, his voice broke as he said: ‘I’m gonna miss you, Caz.’
Caroline died on Saturday 15 February, with a lawyer for the Flack family later confirming the presenter had taken her own life.
She had fronted Love Island ever since it returned to screens in its current format in 2015.
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