Caroline Flack: Festival will take place to celebrate Love Island presenter’s life | UK News

Friends and family of the TV presenter Caroline Flack have said a festival will take place to celebrate her life and raise money for mental health charities.

Flack, who presented Love Island and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, took her own life aged 40 in February 2020.

A one-day festival, called Flackstock, will feature acts from the worlds of comedy, dance and music on 25 July.

Pop stars Natalie Imbruglia, Louise Redknapp and Fleur East are among the first acts to be announced for the event, which will be held in the grounds of Englefield House, near Pangbourne in Berkshire.

Celebrity appearances on the day will also include Professor Green, Dermot O’Leary, Kirsty Gallacher, Paddy McGuinness, Joel Dommett, Noel Fielding and June Sarpong.

Strictly Come Dancing stars Janette Manrara and her husband Aljaz Skorjanec will also be in attendance.

The event committee is comprised of Caroline’s mother Christine and her sister Jody, as well as her close friends Dawn O’Porter, Natalie Pinkham, Anna Blue, Sarah Tyekiff and Leigh and Jill Francis.

Christine Flack said: “My Caroline was never more herself or happier than at a music festival with her sister and her friends.

“Flackstock is the wonderful idea of those who knew her best and the perfect way to remember her singing, dancing and most of all laughing.

“Not only is Flackstock the most positive way to honour Carrie, but charities that she loved will benefit from the proceeds.

“A big thank you to everyone involved for all their hard work – to Natalie for the mad idea, Giles Cooper Entertainment and Englefield House who saved the day, Live Nation and to all the brilliant sponsors.

“My family are so proud that so many people who knew Carrie loved her so very much.”

Funds raised on the day will be equally split between the charities Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans and the Charlie Waller Trust.

Ian O’Reilly, head of community and events fundraising at Mind, said: “Every donation that Mind receives through Flackstock will allow us to be there for even more people when they need us.

“This includes through services like the Mind Infoline, legal line and our online peer support community for adults, Side by Side. The money will also enable us to continue to campaign to improve services and provide information and support.

“We are honoured to be involved and we can’t wait for the festival to get started.”

Pre-sale tickets for the festival will go on sale on 27 April while general tickets will be available from 29 April.

Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK.