S Poddar
Olly Murs, deeply moved, paid tribute to his close friend and former X Factor co-star Caroline Flack at the third annual Flackstock festival on Monday, July 22. The event, held at Englefield House in Pangbourne, Berkshire, brought together friends, family, and fans to celebrate Caroline’s life through music, comedy, and dance while supporting mental health charities.
Caroline’s tragic passing in February 2020 left a void in the hearts of many. Flackstock was created by her loved ones as a way to come together and honor her memory, especially after the first coronavirus lockdown disrupted traditional mourning rituals.
Since its inception in 2022, Flackstock has featured performances from notable artists including Ronan Keating, Tom Grennan, Natalie Imbruglia, and Olly Murs, raising significant funds for charities such as Choose Love, Mind, Samaritans, and the Charlie Waller Trust. The inaugural festival raised £325k, a testament to the love and support for Caroline.
This year, the event saw appearances from celebrities like Tom Walker, Joe Wicks, Rebecca Ferguson, Gok Wan, Kate Lawler, and Denise Van Outen. Olly Murs, who was particularly close to Caroline, took to Instagram to share his feelings, posting heartfelt messages and videos reminiscing about their time together. “Been reminiscing a lot these last few weeks knowing Flackstock is today,” he wrote, reflecting on their shared moments and the enduring impact of Caroline’s legacy.
