Caroline Flack: Strictly Come Dancing airs touching tribute to former winner

Viewers called the segment ‘heartwrenching’

Strictly Come Dancing aired a moving tribute for Caroline Flack last night (Saturday 10 October) as part of a special highlights episode.

The former Love Island host, who took her own life in February, won the dancing competition in 2014 with her professional partner Pasha Kovalev.

In the tribute, viewers were shown Flack’s winning dance to Beverley Knight's version of “Angels” and the moment the pair won the series.

Introducing the segment, host Claudia Winkleman said: “In 2014, Caroline became the first celebrity to receive a perfect 40 for every single performance in the final.”

Co-presenter Tess Daly added that Flack “lit up the Strictly ballroom every single week”.

Caroline Flack on Love Island (Rex Features)

Judge Bruno Tonioli said Flack was “such fun” and “a joy”, with pro dancer Janette Manrara tearfully adding: “Watching her do that showdance and just how beautiful she looked in white is a memory I’m going to hold really close to my heart forever and ever. 

"There was just something about Caroline that night. She was beaming and so for it to just culminate in that one moment… what an amazing moment for her.”

Tonioli blew a kiss to the camera and added: “We will always love Caroline and we will never forget her. We love you, my love.”

Viewers took to Twitter to praise the tribute, with one person writing: “Still so, so upset about Caroline Flack. I knew the tribute to her was coming, I knew it was going to be tough to watch, but even so it left me in bits. And the saddest thing is that absolutely no lessons have been learned.”

Another tweeted: “Te Caroline Flack tribute on #Strictly has reduced me to tears her story was beautiful and the ending was awful, for it to be aired on Mental Health Day too sends an even stronger message, she is so missed, I hope the story resonates and teaches people to be kinder #MentalHealth.”

“Emotional and heart wrenching,” said a third.

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