BRITs 2020: Jack Whitehall starts with tribute to Caroline Flack

Jack Whitehall opened the 2020 BRIT awards on Tuesday night by paying tribute to 'kind' and 'infectious' Caroline Flack following her tragic death on Saturday.

The comedian, 31, said in a heartfelt speech: 'Over the weekend, we learnt the awful news that a member of the BRITs family, our friend, Caroline Flack, tragically passed away. 

'She was a kind and vibrant person with an infectious sense of fun, she will be sorely missed. I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say our thoughts are with her friends and family.'

Tribute: Jack Whitehall opened the show by paying tribute to 'kind' and 'infectious' Caroline Flack following her tragic death

Caroline took her own life aged 40 after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat.  

The tribute was followed by a fitting performance from Lewis Capaldi who sung his emotional hit track Someone You Loved. 

While Caroline's ex-boyfriend Harry Styles, whom she briefly dated in 2011 when he was 17 and she was 32, performed his new track Falling and earlier in the night he wore a black ribbon on his lapel in memory of her. 

Tragic: The comedian, 31, said in a heartfelt speech: 'Over the weekend, we learnt the awful news that a member of the BRITs family, our friend, Caroline Flack, tragically passed away.' (Caroline pictured at the 2019 BRITs) 

Emotional: The tribute was followed by a fitting performance from Lewis Capaldi who performed his emotional hit track Someone You Loved

Statement: Earlier in the night, the singer, 26, wore a black ribbon on his lapel in memory of Caroline

Caroline had been a regular staple at the BRIT awards, attending the red carpet and event consecutively for the last nine years since 2011. 

The ITV star took her own life after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat.

It came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, something she denied. 

An inquest into Caroline's death is due to open on Wednesday morning, just four days after the former Love Island host was found dead.

Upsetting: Caroline took her own life aged 40 after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex- Love Island presenter alone at her London flat

It will open and adjourn at 10am at Poplar Coroner's Court in London, a representative of the court has confirmed.

Her management have slammed the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for pursuing the 'show trial' after Lewis said he did not want to press charges.  

Caroline had been described by friends as feeling 'she was on her own' and 'couldn't see a way out,' according to The Mirror. 

It was also understood she had been struggling with her mental health and using anti-depressants before her death.

The TV presenter's death was confirmed by a lawyer for the family. The Flack family said in a statement: 'We can confirm that our Caroline passed away today on the 15th February. We would ask that the press respect the privacy of the family at this difficult time.'

A worried producer friend had been staying with the star but found she couldn't get back into her flat after returning from the shops, a source said. She called Caroline's father Ian who gained entry to the flat where he found the star's body. 

More recently: Caroline pictured posing with a rose at the 2018 BRITs, left, and at the last February at the 2019 show, right 

Love Island also released a statement, they said: 'Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news. 

'Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends.' 

Following Caroline's death, many fans have taken to social media to demand that Love Island be axed, after she became the third person associated with the show to take their own life.

Former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon, took their own lives in March 2019 and June 2018.

Among fans calling the show out was This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes who paid tribute to Caroline while insisting there needs to be 'repercussions.'

Heartbreaking: Caroline took her own life after a worried friend who was staying with her went to the shops, leaving the ex-Love Island presenter alone at her London flat (pictured in 2018) 

He wrote on Twitter: 'Caroline Flack .... Dear God. Shocked beyond belief. May she have found peace. #Rip Has to be repercussions for Love Island now surely?' which garnered more than 27K likes. 

Eamonn later added: 'Meaning out of respect, can the series continue?' (sic)

A CPS spokesperson issued a statement, they said: 'Our deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of Caroline Flack.

'Given the tragic circumstances, we will not comment on the specifics of this case at this stage.'  

Tragic: It came just hours after she was told she would face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton, something she denied (pictured together in October) 

Lewis Capaldi, Stormzy and Billie Eilish led the winners on Tuesday evening in a largely male dominated BRIT Awards shortlist. 

Lewis, 23, claimed two awards from four nominations, triumphing in the categories for New Artist and Song of the Year.

The latter nomination was awarded for hit single Someone You Loved, a track Capaldi insisted was written for his late grandmother - not former girlfriend and current Love Island star Paige Turley.   

Meanwhile Stormzy, 26, picked up the award for Best Male Solo Artist in front of a star-studded audience that included ex-girlfriend Maya Jama. 

Accepting his award, the grime star was quick to reference the gender disparity at this year's ceremony by thanking the team of 'brilliant women' who form his management team.       

Nominations: Lewis Capaldi (pictured), former One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles and grime star Stormzy are among the artists nominated in a male-dominated BRIT Awards shortlist

Rising superstar Billie Eilish, 18, received a nod in the International Female Solo Artist category alongside the likes of Lizzo and Ariana Grande. 

And after performing new James Bond soundtrack No Time To Die live for the first time, she claimed her first BRIT Award from former Spice Girl Mel C.  

Despite Billie's success, only four nominations out of a possible 25 in the categories which are not gender-specific featured women.  

There were no female performers included in the shortlists for best group or album awards, although English singer Mabel, 23, was nominated for three awards and ultimately claimed one of the biggest of the night - Best British Female Artist. 

Elsewhere Dave's excellent Psychodrama beat stiff competition to win Best Album ahead of Stormzy's new release Heavy Is The Head, Michael Kiwanuka's self-titled LP Harry Styles' Fine Line and Lewis Capaldi's Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent.     

Oxford based band Foals won Best Group after a return to the spotlight with their conceptual, two-part Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost. 

The group beat Bastille, Bring Me The Horizon, Coldplay and D-Block Europe to the honour on Tuesday night. 

Taking it global, innovative rapper Tyler, The Creator beat Bruce Springsteen, Burna Boy, Dermot Kennedy and Post Malone in the category for International Male Solo Artist.   

The lack of nominations in for female artists comes despite a major overhaul of the Brits' voting academy in 2017 to make it more gender balanced and diverse, with hundreds of new members invited to join the pool. 

The awards are voted for by around 1,500 people from across the UK music industry including journalists, record label employees and musicians.

The rising star winner was announced as Celeste late last year, while the producer of the year will be announced at a later date.

The international group and video categories were axed by organisers this year. 

If you have been affected by this story, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.  

Nominated: Impressive: Harry, 25, has been put forward for Male Solo Artist and Album of the Year