Olly Murs has been shown love and support from his fans and followers as he paid a simple yet poignant tribute to the late Caroline Flack. The singer took to Instagram on Wednesday (November 9) to share happy videos of the pair together on what would have been the presenter's 43rd birthday.
Caroline, the popular host of Love Island, died by suicide on February 15, 2020 at the age of 40. Olly and Caroline became great friends when they worked together on The X Factor's spin-off show, The Xtra Factor, before stepping up to the main show for one series in 2015.
Earlier this year, Olly opened up on his grief almost two years after Caroline's death, saying he never experienced "that level of grief" before. Speaking to the Daily Star, the Troublemaker singer said: "God bless Caroline. I miss her every day and I think about her every day. I think about what I could have done to change things, what I could have said.
"There are all sorts of questions I ask myself every day. It's always difficult." He added: "But there’s nothing I can do to bring her back. All I can do is keep living and keep her in my thoughts."
Taking to Instagram, Olly shared a series of clips of himself and Caroline dancing in between their hosting duties on The Xtra Factor. One song appeared to be that of the ITV singing competition's judge, Cheryl Tweedy, titled Crazy Stupid Love, and the pair were full of smiles as they tried to synchronise their moves.
"If the music was on we was dancing! Happy birthday caz x," Olly penned alongside the clips with a heart and sad face emoji. He was quickly flooded with support from his followers who also shared their own tributes to Caroline. @lauragwales said: "What a team you was! She’s so missed x sending you love as you remember your friend Caroline."
@sarahlouise.home__sweet_home said: "Aww. Sending hugs Olly. Thinking of you today. She would be so proud of you." @velovelaughglam.ma posted: "Happy Heavenly Birthday Beautiful @carolineflack. You two were so good together. Thoughts are with you." @laura__simone added: "These are lovely. I spent a huge amount down at the XF auditions and it was so great seeing you guys always dancing and having fun. Thinking of you today and always Ols."
Presenter and friend Laura Whitmore, who replaced Caroline as the host of Love Island, shared a photo of the pair together on Instagram which she captioned: "Happy heavenly birthday Flack" before adding a love heart emoji. Her husband Iain Stirling, the narrator of the hit show also posted a photo of himself his late friend that showed them smiling with their thumbs up. He wrote: "Happy Birthday friend. Thinking of you today."
Back in September, fans were in tears as singer Olly delivered a sweet tribute to his late friend on The Voice. The Essex-born hitmaker took the microphone during the audition stages of the 2022 contest to perform in memory of Caroline. He told Sir Tom, Anne-Marie and Will-i.am that he as going to "pick a classic" song. He joked: "It's not one of my ones, obviously they're classics right?"
And he explained: "I'm going to sing this song, I want to dedicate to having you lot back. Also, I want to dedicate to my friend Caroline Flack." Olly then revealed his chosen song as the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline, which has risen to prominence as England's football anthem.
READ NEXT:
- ITV Emmerdale star Lucy Pargeter issues message to fans after viewers wanted 'rid' of Chas Dingle
- Peter Kay issues apology to BBC Radio 2 listeners as he makes mistake on Zoe Ball show
- Susanna Reid wows ITV Good Morning Britain viewers as she shuts down heated interview over guests' 'audacity' while defending show
- Peter Kay shares heartfelt message to fans after 'overwhelming' reaction to comeback
- Holly Willoughy praised for 'taking guest to task' after Phillip Schofield snaps over Angela Rayner remarks on ITV This Morning
