British TV host Caroline Flack found dead by suicide at 40 ahead of assault trial

British TV presenter Caroline Flack, who fronted the UK series of Love Island, died at the age of 40 after taking her own life on Saturday.

Flack was found at her apartment in East London, just hours after finding out the Crown Prosecution Service would be pursuing a case against her.

The much-loved TV host was due to stand trial in March for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton in December last year, despite him saying he did not support the prosecution.

The former X Factor host had entered a not guilty plea and was released on bail, with the condition of not having any contact with Burton.

It has now emerged that she had spent weeks being tormented by the idea that police bodycam footage of the incident, showing her in a state of undress and severely distressed, would be shown in court.

During the incident with her boyfriend, Flack is alleged to have self-harmed herself and hit Burton over the head with a lamp. Police were so concerned about the self-inflicted deep wounds that she was taken to hospital for urgent treatment.

Flack was treated by medics for 12 hours before she was deemed fit enough to be interviewed by officers under caution.

Speaking on the looming court case, a legal source told The Sun: "Caroline should never have been prosecuted. She should have been given urgent mental health treatment and psychiatric care."

Confirming Flack's tragic death on Saturday, a statement from her family read: "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."