Caroline Flack's Love Island replacement Laura Whitmore pays heartbreaking tribute

Caroline Flack's Love Island replacement Laura Whitmore pays heartbreaking tribute
Laura Whitmore and Caroline Flack had been friends for a long time - and the Irish presenter stepped in to host Love Island this year when Caroline left her position

Heartbroken Laura Whitmore has paid tribute to her friend Caroline Flack following her tragic death.

The Irish presenter stepped in to host Love Island 's first ever winter series this year when Caroline stepped down from her position.

Tonight, it was confirmed that Caroline had tragically taken her own life and was found dead at her London home at the age of 40.

After the news broke, a heartbroken Laura took to social media to pay tribute.

She shared a sweet picture of them together, which showed Caroline lovingly draping her arm around Laura's shoulders to pull her friend closer.

Laura wrote: "I’m trying to find the words but I can’t," adding a broken heart emoji.She also shared a poem that read: "To lose someone so special is really hard to bear it hardly seems believable that you're no longer there

"You left us far too early before your time, it seems and now you'll never have the chance to fulfill all those dreams

"However hard it is though we'll take comfort in the thought of all the memories we have and the happiness you brought

"You always lived life to the full but ours won't be the same until the day when we can see your smiling face again"A lawyer for the Flack family confirmed that Caroline took her own life.

A family spokesperson said: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February.

"We would ask that the press both respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time."

Rumours of the star's death began to circulate on Twitter this afternoon, leaving fans devastated.

Caroline had recently returned to the UK after retreating to Los Angeles in the aftermath of her arrest for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend.