Caroline Flack: Ex-Love Island host pleads not guilty to assaulting boyfriend Lewis Burton
‘This is the worst time of my life,’ TV star says in emotional Instagram message
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Love Island presenter Caroline Flack has pleaded not guilty to assaulting her boyfriend with a lamp earlier this month.
Ms Flack appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
The 40-year-old wiped her eyes as she sat down, before confirming her identity to magistrates.
She is charged with assaulting former professional tennis player and model Lewis Burton, 27, at her north London flat on 12 December. Prosecutors said both were left covered in blood in a “horror movie”-like scene.
Mr Burton was in the court gallery on Monday.
He has previously spoken out in support of Ms Flack, who stood down from her role as presenter of Love Island following the allegations.
Ms Flack posted an emotional message on Instagram on Sunday night.
She wrote: “This is the worst time of my life. I don’t know where to go to. Where to look. Who to trust. Or who I even am.”
Mr Burton and Ms Flack unfollowed each other on Instagram before the hearing.
Laura Whitmore will replace Ms Flack as host of Love Island and its sister programme, Aftersun.
Filming of the dating programme’s latest series is due to begin in South Africa in January.
As the single charge was read out in court, Ms Flack’s lawyer Paul Morris interrupted proceedings to tell district judge Julia Newton that Mr Burton did not support the prosecution.
“He is not a victim, he is a witness,” he said, adding that the pair were still an item.
When the charge was put to Ms Flack for a second time, she answered: “Not guilty.”
Prosecutor Katie Weiss said: “He is a victim, he sustained a significant injury to his head.”
Ms Flack was released on bail ahead of her trial in March. Until then she is barred from contacting Mr Burton.
Additional reporting by Press Association