Video filmed by Caroline Flack in immediate aftermath of traumatic arrest shown in brand new Disney+ documentary releases today
TV presenter Caroline Flack filmed a video days after her arrest in 2019 detailing the abuse she received as a result, a brand new documentary has revealed.
Caroline Flack: Search For The Truth has been released on Disney+ today (November 10), with the TV star’s mum Christine searching for answers surrounding her late daughter’s assault charge and the resulting media strom that ensued. Caroline took her own life at the age of 40 in February 2020, two months after her high-profile arrest.
Caroline was one of the biggest names on television, having won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, as well as presenting shows such as The X Factor and Love Island. She was arrested in December 2019 following an incident involving her boyfriend Lewis Burton in which she allegedly hit him with her phone while he slept amid concerns that he had been cheating on her.
Caroline was initially given a caution but this was overturned and she was charged with assault by beating following an appeal by the Metropolitan Police.
The brand new two-part documentary shows messages and video from around the time of her arrest, with one video filmed days after the incident. IN the video, shown in the documentary, Caroline said: “I’m doing this because I want to remember what I went through and what my family went through, what my boyfriend went through, what his family went through.
“It’s three days after I’ve been arrested for having a fight with my boyfriend. I’ve always co-operated with the police since they arrived. I was put in a cell. I was promised that I was anonymous and this wouldn’t be going further, and it was a really private situation.
“Five minutes after I left the station, they’ve gone to the press, all the details, everything. Since then, I lost my job, the job I’ve worked all my life on. I’m living in a hotel. I’m receiving so much abuse.”
Through tears, she added: “It was a fight. I’ve never hurt anyone in my life, the only person I ever hurt is myself.”
Other messages shown in the documentary showed Caroline communicating her fear to friends and family, with one message saying: “I literally cannot be papped it’s ruining my life.”
Christine previously rejected an apology from the Met Police after they admitted to not keeping a record of why they decided to charge her daughter with assault.
A Met spokesperson said: “Caroline Flack’s tragic death had a profound impact on many, not least her family and friends who continue to come to terms with their loss. The Commissioner has previously written to Caroline’s mother to offer his condolences on behalf of the Met. We recognise how terribly difficult the past five years must have been.
“It is entirely understandable that those closest to Caroline have questions about the events leading up to her death, including the police investigation. We have engaged openly with those questions through independent reviews and an inquest, which subjected our actions to significant scrutiny.
“These processes did not identify misconduct for any officer, including in relation to the decision to appeal the CPS outcome. Operational decisions were made in accordance with the legal framework and guidance in place at the time.
“The Metropolitan Police Service fully supports the officers involved in the decisions made. Organisational learning was identified, around record-keeping and documentation of decision-making. These have since been addressed through policy reinforcement and training.
“The Independent Office for Police Conduct asked the Met to apologise to Caroline’s family for the absence of a recorded rationale in the CPS appeal process. We have done so and acknowledged the impact this has had on them.
“We remain committed to learning and improving, and our thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Caroline’s family and friends.”
A CPS spokesperson said: “Caroline’s death was a tragedy and our thoughts remain with her friends and family as they continue to come to terms with their loss and the circumstances that led to her death.
“All decisions in this case were made on the basis of the medical opinion available to us at the time. A person’s celebrity status never influences whether a case is taken forward. We are satisfied that the prosecution was correctly brought.”
Caroline Flack: Search For The Truth is available to watch on Disney+ now.