LOVE Island’s Aftersun has been cancelled this evening in the wake of Caroline Flacks death.
The main show will be returning to TV tonight after a two-day break but Laura Whitmore will not be doing the programme that usually follows on a Monday evening, according to the Mirror.
The publication claims that ApplauseStore, who organises tickets for the show, has text viewers saying: : “Due to the recent news of Caroline Flack’s tragic passing, ITV has made the decision to cancel this evening’s recording of Aftersun out of respect for the star’s family and friends.
“We apologise for this change but ask that you respect the show’s decision during this difficult time.”
Caroline, who hosted the ITV2 show, was found dead in her flat after taking her own life on Saturday.
Laura – who has been presenting Love Island in Caroline’s absence – tearfully described Caroline’s “many struggles” as she paid tribute to the “vivacious” star on BBC Radio 5 yesterday morning.
The presenter is usually joined by three famous guests each week as well as the latest people to leave the villa.
Shaughna Phillips was due to appear this evening after getting the boot last week.
Show bosses held crisis talks about Love Island’s future yesterday and made the decision to pull it from TV for the second night running on Sunday evening.
Laura was very emotional on the radio yesterday discussing Caroline’s death
However, it will return to screens as usual tonight with a tribute to the star.
An ITV spokesperson said in a statement: “Many people at ITV knew Caroline well and held her in great affection. All of us are absolutely devastated at this tragic news.
“After careful consultation between Carolines representatives and the Love Island production team and given how close we still are to the news of Carolines tragic death we have decided not to broadcast tonights Love Island out of respect for Carolines family.
“Love Island will return tomorrow night which will include a tribute to Caroline who will be forever in our hearts.”
The MailOnline have reported that the current batch of Islanders have not yet been informed of Caroline’s passing.
The popular star’s devastated family announced the sad news over the weekend, saying in a statement: “We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.
“We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.”
Caroline became the face of Love Island in June 2015, with the reality series initially running between 2005 and 2006 with celebrity contestants.
The popular dating show enjoyed huge success over the years, with viewers at home falling in love with the programme.
In 2018 it won a Bafta for Best Reality and Constructed Factual, with a stunned Caroline accepting the accolade.
Caroline stepped down as host of Love Island after being charged with assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton shortly before Christmas, with Laura Whitmore standing in as her replacement.
She was due in court next month, having always insisted she was innocent.
Model Lewis, 27, alsodenied the prosecution and made a public declaration of his love for the star in a heartfelt Valentines Day post on Friday.
Caroline’s managers havepublicly blasted the CPS after they continued to prosecute the star despite Lewis making clear he did not want them to and there being no serious injury.
In a passionate statement they said that the Crown Prosecution Service knew how “vulnerable” the star was, adding: “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.”
Lewis, 27, paid tribute to Caroline yesterday, saying that he is “in so much pain” following her death.
Irish beauty Laura also broke down in tears as she made a passionate plea for people to “be kind” as she addressed her friend’s death on her radio show yesterday.
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