Caroline Flack’s mother has said she wants her daughter to be remembered “for inspiring people to live”, after a suicide prevention bench was installed in honour of the TV presenter.
The bench unveiled by Christine Flack in north London last September features a QR code which links users to the TV star’s story, and messages offering help to those in need.
Flack, who was born in London and grew up in Norfolk, took her own life in February 2020 at the age of 40.
Christine Flack told The Mirror: “At the end, Carrie didn’t think there was anything to live for, she felt the world had turned against her.
“I hope people who read her story will see her life was wasted and may think twice about ending theirs.
“That’s how I want Carrie to be remembered, for inspiring people to live.”
She recalled how her daughter “understood when people were feeling down and she would talk to them”, and she hoped the bench continues this legacy.
“Through her bench and others, her kindness and compassion can continue to support people,” she added.
“And I know she would be unbelievably proud. The idea was to have a safe place where people can go at any time of the day or night to sit and think.
“There are so many negatives in this world at the moment and I think that’s often why people give up, because they don’t see any hope.
“Caroline’s bench provides hope, even if it’s just to sit there for five minutes and think about things in a safe environment.”
Her mother said her family still misses her “terribly” and they find it “hard” to see things about her on the TV or in old videos.
“I want her to be remembered with joy because she was funny and loved fun times, she was a really kind person and her nieces and nephews adored her,” she added.
The bench was installed by the charity Legend On The Bench, which was set up by the sister of former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Micky Hazard, after her son Jay died by suicide at the age of 23.
Hazard said they know a “considerable number” of people have already used the QR code on Flack’s bench.
After Flack’s death in February 2020, a coroner ruled she took her own life after learning prosecutors were going to press ahead with an assault charge over an incident involving her boyfriend, Lewis Burton.
She was best known for presenting ITV reality show Love Island from 2015 to 2019, and was also a presenter on The X Factor, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! NOW! and TMi.
In 2014 she won series 12 of Strictly Come Dancing, partnered by professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, achieving a perfect score in the final.
An upcoming Disney+ documentary follows Flack’s mother as she tries to understand events in the final months of her daughter’s life, while also celebrating her career.
