Caroline Flack's family have been dealt another devastating blow with the death of her beloved older brother Paul, six years after she took her own life. Paul, 55, was found unresponsive at his home in Norwich on June 21, 2026. Despite attempts to save his life, he died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The graphic designer and artist died just days after his birthday and is survived by his partner and their two children.
Paul's Final Tribute to Caroline
Paul's final Instagram post, shared in June 2020, was a tribute to his TV star sister, who died that year: "This will be my last post here," he said at the time. "May those who know feel shame for eternity. Love you Caroline." The Flacks are a close unit, making the news of Paul's death all the more shattering. Caroline was one of four siblings born to Christine and Ian Flack; as well as big brother Paul, she has an older sister, Elizabeth (Lizzie), and a twin sister named Jody.
Idyllic Childhood in Norfolk
Prior to her untimely death, Caroline spoke about her idyllic childhood, growing up with her brother and sisters. Caroline was born in North London, but when she was young the family relocated to Norfolk. Dad Ian had been working for Coca-Cola in Essex - but when a managerial job came up in the east of England, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. They first lived in the countryside near Great Thetford, then Great Hockham, and later in the nearby village of East Wretham.
"Our house backed onto fields and, unless there was a moon, you could see nothing beyond the back fence," Caroline recalled of Great Thetford in her autobiography Storm in a C Cup. "We had a pond and a climbing frame, as well as the chickens and a rabbit called Boris because our big sister was in love with Boris Becker." Thetford held especially happy memories for Caroline, and she spoke fondly of walking in the forest there with her sister and her father.
School Days and Early Career
In 1990, when she was ten, Caroline started Wayland High School in Watton. "Going to Wayland had been a shock, we had really led a very sheltered life up until then," she said. "All the cool kids used to hang out after school on 'the Green' which was in the middle of the fifties' council estate just off Watton High Street." Because she lived further away than her friends, Caroline found an unusual way to stay in touch: calling into Norwich Radio - Broadland FM - Late Night Love. "Jo and me and all our school friends used to listen when we went to bed because that's the only way we could communicate," she continued.
At just 16, Caroline left home to attend the Bodyworks theatre school in Cambridge. After graduating, she worked in a pork processing factory, waitressing, and as a magician's assistant. She spent her twenties sofa-surfing in London, auditioning for commercials and starred in Danny Dyer's film Is Harry In The Boat? In 2002, she got her big break thanks to a role in Bo Selecta.
Rise to Fame and Tragic Death
Presenting roles soon followed, including Big Brother's Big Mouth, Sky1's Gladiators and ITV2's I'm a Celebrity. In 2014, her career skyrocketed after she won Strictly Come Dancing, and the following year she started presenting The X Factor with Olly Murs. Caroline began presenting ITV2's Love Island in 2015 and was a huge hit with viewers. She hosted the show until her resignation in December 2019 after being arrested over claims that she had assaulted her boyfriend, Lewis Burton. She denied the allegations. The TV star was banned from contacting Lewis before a planned trial in March 2021. On 15 February 2020, Caroline was found dead in her flat in Stoke Newington, London. She was 40 years old.
Paul's Final TV Appearance and Tributes
Paul made his final TV appearance in November 2025, featuring in the documentary Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth alongside his mother and sisters. During the first episode, the family visits a bench dedicated to Caroline. Paul asks: "What's the first thing you think of when you wake up in the morning?" He added, "Probably the same as me." The organisers of Flackstock, a festival set up to promote mental health awareness in memory of Caroline, paid tribute to Paul, describing him as "funny, kind and loving" in a statement. The message posted to Instagram said: "We are beyond heartbroken by Paul Flack's passing. We loved Paul so deeply, and this news has shattered us all. Paul was funny, kind and loving. He gave the best hugs and had the most brilliant laugh. We will miss him so much."
