Paul Flack, the brother of late television presenter Caroline Flack, has died at the age of 55. He was found unresponsive at his home in Norwich on 21 June and later died at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, according to the Eastern Daily Press.
Background and Family Ties
Flack was an artist and graphic designer by profession. He is survived by his partner and two children. His death comes six years after the loss of his younger sister, Caroline Flack, who was a prominent TV personality known for hosting shows such as Love Island, The X Factor, and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here Now! Caroline Flack also won the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing in 2014.
Following Caroline's death in February 2020 at the age of 40, Paul Flack posted a childhood photograph of her on Instagram with a poignant message: "This will be my last post here. May those who know feel shame for eternity. Love you Caroline." That tribute remained the final post on his Instagram account. He also appeared alongside his mother and two other sisters in the 2021 documentary Caroline Flack: Her Life and Death, which explored the presenter's life, her mental health struggles, and the events leading up to her suicide.
Inquest and Investigation
An inquest into Paul Flack's death was opened at Norfolk Coroner's Court on Monday. Senior Coroner Yvonne Blake informed the hearing that further inquiries are necessary before the circumstances surrounding his death can be fully established. The hearing was adjourned until 23 October.
Caroline Flack's Death and Aftermath
Caroline Flack was found dead in February 2020 at her London flat. A coroner ruled that she had taken her own life after learning that prosecutors intended to proceed with an assault charge against her. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had initially recommended a caution for an incident involving her boyfriend, Lewis Burton. However, the Metropolitan Police appealed this decision, leading to a charge of assault by beating.
Following a review by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the Met was ordered to apologise to Caroline Flack's family. The IOPC found that there was no "record of rationale" for the police appeal against the CPS decision. Caroline's mother, Christine Flack, rejected the apology, while the Met maintained that the arrest had been handled appropriately.
The tabloid press had subjected Caroline Flack to intense scrutiny after her arrest, which ultimately led to her stepping down from hosting Love Island. After her death, several newspapers, including The Sun, removed negative coverage of her from their websites.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123. In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.
