Caroline Flack friends want Flackstock to be tribute to Love Island anchor

After missing out on a memorial for Caroline Flack, her pals want Flackstock to be her ultimate sendoff.

After grieving for the former Love Island presenter in lockdown, Natalie Pinkham, Leigh Francis, and Dawn O’Porter came up with the festival idea.

Natalie, the festival’s host, said she wanted Caroline’s mother Christine to have something to “to focus on” throughout the festival.

Flackstock, which will take place on July 25, will honour the TV star’s life with music, comedy, and dancing while also raising funds for mental health organisations.

Natalie Imbruglia, Fleur East, and Louise Redknapp are among the celebrities who have agreed to perform.

Strictly dancers Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec will join comedians Noel Fielding, Paddy McGuinness, Dermot O’Leary, and JoelDommett on the bill.

“Caroline’s life was music, dance, and comedy on repeat,” Natalie told. That was all she cared about.

“The lockdown happened straight after she died. A funeral was held, but no fitting memorial was held.

“Her death has been hard to process and we had to do it on our own. It’s a coming together of all her friends and family.

“I still find it difficult to talk about her in the past tense.”

Caroline, 40, committed suicide in February of 2020. The proceeds from Flackstock will go to four charities close to her heart: Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans, and the Charlie Waller Trust.

Natalie, 44, said the response to the festival, which will take place at the Englefield estate in Reading, Berkshire, had “bowled over.”

She said: “Everyone we have asked has said yes. Every band playing is a mate of hers and they’ve said they will do it for nothing. I’m so emotional just at the thought of it.

“I really hope it is something for her mum to focus on but most importantly, it raises funds for mental health as well as being a fitting tribute to her.

“We have a moral duty to help everyone out there who is really struggling.”

Natalie also told how she turned to a bereavement counsellor to help her process her grief.

She said: “I can’t even put into words how incredible this woman is, but she has an incredible understanding of grief and psychology.

“She has helped me a lot and hopefully she will help others.”

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