The hidden legacy of former British TV presenter Caroline Flack has been uncovered for the first time since her tragic passing five years ago.
Caroline died by suicide in her London flat on February, 15, 2020, at the age of 40.
Now, her mother, Christine Flack, is channeling all of her energy into preventing others from suffering the same heartbreak.
Christine shared how a special anti-suicide bench, created in Caroline’s memory, serves as a lasting tribute and has already inspired those struggling with mental health to keep fighting through tough times.
In an emotional interview marking the anniversary of Caroline’s death, Christine told The Mirror that she has been left with a deep void since her daughter’s passing.
The 74-year-old said: ‘At the end, Carrie didn’t think there was anything to live for, she felt the world had turned against her.’
The hidden legacy of former British TV presenter Caroline Flack has been uncovered for the first time since her tragic passing five years ago (Caroline pictured 2019)
Caroline died by suicide on February, 15, 2020, at the age of 40. Now, her mother, Christine Flack, is channeling all of her energy into preventing others from suffering the same heartbreak
She added: ‘I hope people who read her story will see her life was wasted and may think twice about ending theirs. That’s how I want Carrie to be remembered, for inspiring people to live.’
Last year, Christine unveiled a memorial bench at Tottenham Community Sports Centre in North London, just five miles from Caroline’s hometown of Enfield.
The bench, which reads ‘Someone is always listening,’ provides a space for reflection when people are feeling low.
It also features a QR code linking to Caroline’s story and messages of support as part of the anti-suicide charity initiative Legend on the Bench.
Christine said: ‘Caroline understood when people were feeling down and she would talk to them, almost as though she knew how they were feeling. Through her bench and others, her kindness and compassion can continue to support people.’
Christine also emphasised that she wanted the bench to be a safe place for people to visit at any time, day or night, to sit, reflect, and think.
She revealed that the bench has already had a profound impact in the community, with the QR code wearing out so quickly due to heavy use that it had to be replaced.
Micky Hazard, former Spurs midfielder and ambassador for Legend on the Bench, who tragically lost his nephew Jay to suicide at 23, shared that the memorial has helped countless individuals find hope in their darkest moments.
Christine shared how a special anti-suicide bench, created in Caroline’s memory, serves as a lasting tribute and has already inspired those struggling with mental health to keep fighting through tough times (Christine pictured with Micky Hazard)
In an emotional interview marking the anniversary of Caroline’s death, the 74-year-old said: ‘I hope people who read her story will see her life was wasted and may think twice about ending theirs’
Last year, Christine unveiled a memorial bench at Tottenham Community Sports Centre in North London, just five miles from Caroline’s hometown of Enfield
The bench, which reads ‘Someone is always listening,’ provides a space for reflection when people are feeling low
(Pictured back left to right: Michelle Hazard, Micky Hazard, Sonny Millington Flack, Liz Gracie, Jody Flack, Christine, and Paul Flack)
The 64-year-old said a significant number of people click on the code on Caroline’s bench, seeking solace.
He also added that while Caroline may have taken her own life, she is now ‘saving many more lives and preventing many families from experiencing the devastation’ that her family has endured.
Christine is hoping to become more involved with the charity, which is on a mission to install anti-suicide benches in every local park and open space across the UK.
Christine spoke about how the last five years without her daughter, who ‘loved fun times,’ have left an irreplaceable void in her life.
The mother said ‘we miss her terribly’ adding that whenever Caroline would enter a room, everything changed because of her smile and laughter.
She also expressed a desire for her daughter to be ‘remembered with joy’ as she was funny and a really kind person.
Christine admitted that it’s tough to watch things about Caroline on television or view old videos, but the family continues to talk about her all the time, and she remains ‘a big part of us.’
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can contact Samaritans for free at 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
