TV presenter Caroline Flack dies aged 40

The TV presenter took her own life at her new flat in east London, a lawyer for the family confirmed.

The family statement said: "We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today, the 15th of February.

"We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time and we would ask they make no attempt to contact us and/or photograph us."

The troubled Love Island star stepped down from presenting the show after she was alleged to have assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton 27, at her then flat in Islington, north London, in December.

She entered a not guilty plea to the assault charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court and she was released on bail with conditions that stopped her having any contact with Burton ahead of a trial in March.

Davina McCall was among those paying tribute.

She tweeted: "I'm so so sad to hear about @carolineflack1.

"I don't even know what to say. But my heart goes out to her friends and family x I might be a bit quiet tonight on social media .. just doesn't seem right ."

She had been due to face trial in March over allegations that she assaulted her boyfriend Lewis Burton, which she denied.

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker was also among the people paying tribute to Flack following news of her death.

He tweeted: "Awful news about Caroline Flack. We really need to be better at taking care of each other. So sad".

Eamonn Holmes tweeted: "Caroline Flack .... Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace . #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?"

This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield paid tribute to Flack with a post on his Instagram stories.

He added text above a message that Flack had posted on social media, which read: "In a world where you can be anything, be kind".

Schofield wrote: "You poor darling girl my heart is breaking #BeKind".

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