Strictly Come Dancing will pay tribute to Caroline Flack in an upcoming special, the
BBC has confirmed.
The show will remember the 2014 champion in a compilation episode showcasing the best of the live finals over the years.
Caroline – who won the BBC ballroom competition with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev – took her own life in February. The Love Island presenter set a record when she competed in the 2014 final, becoming the first contestant in Strictly history to score full marks for all three of her routines.
Caroline’s emotional showdance, set to Robbie Williams’ Angels, was previously mentioned in tributes from her
Love Island colleagues Iain Stirling and Laura Whitmore following her death. View this post on InstagramA post shared by Iain Stirling (@iaindoesjokes) on Feb 15, 2020 at 3:35pm PSTStrictly bosses also paid tribute to Caroline in a statement at the time, saying they had been “heartbroken to hear this incredibly sad news”.
“Caroline had an infectious energy and passion for dance, she shone brightly in “the Strictly ballroom every week and became an incredible champion,” it read. “Words cannot express our sadness, she was simply one of a kind.”
The BBC revealed plans to honour Caroline on screen as it announced the Strictly The Best Of The Final episode on Wednesday. The episode will air in addition to three previously-announced specials, which will celebrate the best routines from the competition’s Blackpool, Movies and Musicals Weeks.
A special
Christmas countdown has also just been confirmed, which will reveal the 25 most memorable dances of all time voted for by viewers.
It has been reported that this year’s actual festive edition of Strictly – which usually airs on Christmas Day – has been axed due to logistical reasons related to the
Coronavirus pandemic, but this has yet to be officially confirmed.
Bosses have already shortened the length of this year’s series by a month due to the pandemic, with the competition not set to kick off until October.
It is expected the Best Of specials will air in the autumn, in the lead up to the new series.
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.READ MORE: Caroline Flack's Death Ruled As Suicide As Inquest Reaches Conclusion Caroline Flack’s Family Say She Was ‘Seriously Let Down By Authorities’ And ‘Hounded’ By The Press Laura Whitmore Honours 'Vivacious, Loving' Friend Caroline Flack In Heart-Wrenching On-Air Tribute