Olly Murs reveals he was due to meet with Caroline Flack before her death but ‘she never turned up’

Olly Murs has revealed that he tried and failed to meet Caroline Flack shortly before her death, and that he “always” thinks about it.

Love Island host Caroline has tragically passed away aged 40 – she was found dead in her London home on February 15 after taking her own life.

Olly, 38, enjoyed a close friendship with the presenter after they hosted The Xtra Factor together.

He has now revealed that the couple were supposed to meet, but Caroline didn’t show up, meaning he missed his last chance to see her before she passed away.

Speaking on Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast, Olly revealed that despite their close bond, they struggled to find time to hang out in recent years due to their busy schedules.

He said: ‘Caz was always the life and soul of the party. She’s dancing, she’s buying drinks, she’s having fun.

Meanwhile, Olly was “being a pop star and traveling and doing all sorts of different things”, so when he was free he would “just go to bed, relax and sleep”.

However, in 2019, the couple arranged for Caroline to come to their house for lunch for their first hangout “in years.”

Olly, who had just had emergency knee surgery, said: “I got a chef to come over. I couldn’t cook because I couldn’t move. And he never showed up.

He thought it was ‘really weird’ until she responded several hours later saying: ‘I’m so sorry Olly, something came up. I don’t feel great. So sorry. We will do it another time.

Olly insisted that it “didn’t bother me because she has a life” before his girlfriend Amelia showed him an article revealing that Caroline had been at an event the night before.

He recalled: ‘So, meeting Caz, she woke up with a massive hangover. She probably didn’t get up until noon, and she’s probably still drunk.

He added sadly, “It’s a shame really, because I never got a chance to see Caz before he took his own life.”

It would have been wonderful to have had a moment to chat or, you know, just talk. We didn’t see each other for quite a few years. That was the last time we tried to meet.

Not long after, Caroline made headlines after being accused of assaulting her boyfriend.

Olly revealed that he sent her a message of support, saying, “I texted him and said you know, like, ‘I’m not reading the news, because, you know, I mean, I’m on your side, I’m here if you need me

‘She was like, ‘Thanks Ols. I appreciate it.” And then we didn’t talk after that, which was a shame.

‘But yeah, it would have been lovely. I always think of that moment, I just wish she had come to Essex that day.

Her tragic revelation comes after Caroline’s family and friends announced that Flackstock, the intimate festival created in her honor, is returning for a second year.

The day will be filled with comedy, dance and musical acts after raising £325k for mental health charities close to her heart.

Flackstock will take place in the grounds of Englefield House in Pangbourne, Berkshire on July 24, 2023 with tickets going on sale on Thursday, December 15.

In its inaugural year in 2022, Flackstock featured performances by the likes of Ronan Keating, Tom Grennan, Olly Murs, Natalie Imbruglia, and more.

Thousands of people attended the event and the money raised was split equally between Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans and the Charlie Waller Trust, four valued outlets that held a special place in Caroline’s heart.

The 2023 event will also raise money for these outlets, while the lineup will be announced in due course.

The event is organized by a committee that includes Caroline’s mother Christine and sister Jody, her friends Natalie Pinkham, Dawn O’Porter, Anna Blue, Sarah Tyekiff, and Leigh and Jill Francis.

The committee said: ‘Flackstock was an amazing way to remember our friend Caroline, but it became so much more than that: a joyful place where people felt comfortable talking about mental health.

There’s been an overwhelming desire for us to return, so we’re back with the intention of turning Flackstock into a legacy festival to raise money and awareness for a variety of brilliant charities.

“We want everyone to come and join us in 2023 for this magical event.”

Tickets will be available at AXS.com on Thursday, December 15 at 10 am.