The mother of Caroline Flack has bravely spoken out in a new television documentary, directly confronting what she calls the 'myth' that her daughter assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton with a lamp.
The Night of the Incident
In December 2019, the Love Island presenter was arrested and charged with assault following an incident with her then-boyfriend, tennis player Lewis Burton. While initial media reports claimed Flack had 'beat her boyfriend with a lamp', a police report presented in court told a different story.
The report stated that Caroline Flack confessed to hitting Burton, but with a mobile phone, not a lamp. She was quoted as telling officers: "I did it, I whacked him round the head like that," accompanied by a swinging motion with her right hand. She further explained, "I hit him, he was cheating on me. I admit I did it, I used the phone."
A spokesperson for the Met Police confirmed to The Independent that Burton's injuries were not considered "serious" though he received treatment from paramedics and was taken to hospital, where it was later confirmed he had sustained a head injury.
A Mother's Five-Year Quest for Truth
Christine Flack has spent the five years since her daughter's tragic suicide in February 2020 investigating the circumstances leading to her death. In an emotional interview on This Morning promoting her documentary, she made a powerful statement aimed at setting the record straight.
"I want the myth of her beating someone with a lamp completely gone," Christine declared. "And I think this film proves that, and all those awful headlines that were out there at the time, you know, don't just believe everything you read about someone."
She also criticised the decision to prosecute her daughter, noting that prosecutors had initially only wanted to issue a caution. Christine claimed a senior police officer pushed for the charge, stating it was in the "public interest." She expressed her belief that "If it was an ordinary person, you wouldn't have bothered."
Life After the Tragedy
Following Caroline Flack's death, Lewis Burton shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram, posting a picture of them together and writing: "My heart is broken we had something so special... I will be your voice baby I promise I will ask all the questions you wanted and I will get all the answers nothing will bring you back but I will try make you proud everyday."
Since the tragedy, Burton's life has moved forward. He began a relationship with Lottie Tomlinson, the younger sister of former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, in November 2020. The couple now have two children together and got engaged in 2023.
Burton is no longer a professional tennis player and now runs a luxury lifestyle and concierge service named Twenty3 Club.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.
