UK Love Island host quits after being charged with assault

One of the UK’s biggest TV presenters has stood down after being charged with assault following a late-night bust-up with her boyfriend.

British television host Caroline Flack is standing down as host of the hugely popular UK version of Love Island after being charged with assault following a bust-up at her home.

The 40-year-old is “absolutely devastated” about the decision, which comes as she was arrested on Thursday after an early-hours altercation with boyfriend Lewis Burton, The Sun reports.

A source revealed: “She is determined to clear her name. But Love Island has been her world so it’s, of course, an absolute blow. She’s absolutely devastated.”

Flack revealed the news in a statement post to her Instagram Stories.

Caroline Flack during her Love Island hosting duties. Picture: Shutterstock

“There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regards to my personal life.

“While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can’t comment further on these matters until the legal process is over.

“Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it’s the best show on telly. In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is to stand down for series six.

“I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town.”

She later added: “And on a really personal level. I have never experienced such kindness and love in my whole life.

“Not just from friends and family who are always the greatest. but also from total strangers who send messages to me offering help and understanding.

“Please know that I see them. and my boyfriend Lewis … I love you x.”

A spokesperson for ITV, which airs Love Island in the UK, today said: “ITV has a longstanding relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision.

“We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island.”

Police were called to Flack’s house in Islington, North London, where she lives with partner Burton shortly after 5am on Thursday.

Sources say tennis player and model Burton, 27, called emergency services himself after a row erupted between the pair.

He was not seriously injured, but The Sun revealed Flack later needed hospital treatment after accidentally cutting herself on broken glass during the incident.

Flack has been bailed and is due to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on December 23.

Burton has since defended her, describing her as “loyal and kind”.

Flack is said to be ‘absolutely devastated’ to be standing down.

The presenter has hosted every series of the hit reality series since it returned in 2015.

She was due to helm the first ever winter series in South Africa in the new year and recently visited the site to shoot promotional scenes for the show.

Love Island was Flack’s biggest presenting gig since she hosted The X Factor for one series back in 2015.

She previously hosted the spin-off show Xtra Factor and won the 2014 series of celeb dance series Strictly Come Dancing.

But out of all the jobs on her presenting CV, she’s most famous for Love Island.

Flack’s string of high-profile relationships have also made headlines over the years: Before Burton, she’d dated Prince Harry, former One Direction star Harry Styles and X Factor star Olly Murs.

Flack and Burton at Sexy Fish restaurant in Mayfair on October 16, 2019 in London. Picture: Ricky Vigil M/GC Images

Love Island has been a TV juggernaut with Flack at the helm, posting record viewing figures and making headlines across the world.

Flack is such a fan of the show that she admits she would have entered herself if she wasn’t famous.

Speaking to The Sun last year, she said: “One hundred per cent I would have done it. When I was 20 or 21, if I was single.

“It’s proven that if you spend eight weeks in a villa with someone, you can fall in love with them. If you can get love out of it, then why not?”

And she also struck up a bond with the series’ contestants, namely the late Mike Thalassitis who tragically passed away earlier this year.

Flack attended his funeral in April alongside other Islanders.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission