Caroline Flack’s brother Paul discovered useless aged 55
Paul Flack, the brother of late TV presenter Caroline Flack, has died, six years after the former Love Island host took her own life.
Paul, 55, was reportedly found unresponsive at his home in Norwich on 21 June and taken to Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, where he died.
An inquest into his death was opened at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Monday 29 June, court documents show.
The inquest hearing is scheduled for 23 October.
Coroner Yvonne Blake said further enquiries were needed before the circumstances surrounding his death can be fully established, the Daily Mail reports.
The inquest heard that Paul, a graphic designer, was born in Enfield on 18 June 1971, meaning he died just three days after his 55th birthday.
According to The Mail, news of his death was first reported by the Eastern Daily Press, where his mother worked for many years.
Paul appeared to be active in his local community: he was announced as a DJ at Norwich’s Last Pub Standing along with record label owner Henry Comb in September last year.
He is survived by his partner and their two children.
Paul’s final Instagram post, shared in June 2020, was a tribute to his sister, who died that year: “This will be my last post here,” he said at the time. “May those who know feel shame for eternity. Love you Caroline.”
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From 2015, Flack hosted the popular series Love Island for five seasons, before stepping down in December 2020 following claims that she had assaulted her boyfriend, tennis player Lewis Burton. She denied the allegations.
Flack was banned from contacting her boyfriend, who had supported her throughout the investigation and said he did not press charges, before a planned trial in March 2021. She died by suicide in February of that year.
Flack’s arrest was highly publicised, with the presenter facing intense press scrutiny and social media trolls in the lead up to her death. The #bekind movement was founded after she died to remind people of how their actions online can have devastating consequences.
Paul appeared with his mother, Christine, in the 2025 Disney documentary Caroline Flack: Search for the Truth. In the programme, which also featured their sister Elizabeth and Caroline’s twin sister Jody, Paul said that Caroline was the first thing he thought of when he woke up in the morning.
“Do you think the newspapers and the police do? No, because they’ve forgotten about it,” he added.
At the time of her arrest, Caroline was one of the UK’s most recognisable and popular presenters, having appeared on shows including Strictly Come Dancing, I’m a Celebrity…. Get Me Out of Here! and The X Factor.
Love Island has been the subject of much scrutiny in the past decade following the suicides of not only Flack, but former contestants Sophie Gradon and Mike Thalassitis in 2018 and 2019.
Consequently, ITV announced new welfare measures for contestants, in which they were taught how to handle the “potential negativity” of social media. Participants are also offered “comprehensive” psychological support as opposed to the “enhanced” support they were previously given.
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If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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