'Dancing on Ice' hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby paid tribute to the late Caroline Flack during the start of Sunday's (16.02.20) live show.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield

The television presenter tragically passed away on Saturday (15.02.20) at the age of 40, and the hosts of the ITV ice dancing competition fought back tears as they honoured her at the beginning of the show.

Phillip struggled to make it through his opening comments as he introduced the show by paying tribute to the former 'Love Island' host, before Holly urged others to "be kind" in honour of the star.

She said: "Many of us on the show knew Caroline as a friend, and we'll all miss her enormously. As Caroline herself recently posted, 'In a world where you can be anything, be kind'."

Joe Swash - who is currently taking part in the show - also paid tribute to Caroline after his routine, as he struggled to hold back tears.

Phillip explained: "We've got to point out to everybody that you were very close to Caroline."

And Joe said: "I just want to send my love to her family, and my condolences."

'Dancing on Ice's tribute comes after fellow dancing show 'Strictly Come Dancing' also shared their condolences to Caroline, who won the BBC Latin and ballroom dance competition in 2014 with her dance partner Pasha Kovalev.

A statement posted on their official Twitter account said: "The entire Strictly Come Dancing family are heartbroken to hear this incredibly sad news. Caroline had an infectious energy and passion for dance, she shone brightly in the Strictly ballroom every week and became an incredible champion. Words cannot express our sadness, she was simply one of a kind. We are sending our love to all her family and friends during this difficult time."

In light of Caroline's tragic death, 'Love Island' will not be airing on Sunday (16.02.20), and will instead return on Monday (17.02.20) with a tribute to the star.

Bosses of the show paid tribute to the presenter on Saturday night, in a Twitter post which read: "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."

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