Olly Murs has spoken about the death of his friend Caroline Flack, saying he is “still struggling” to come to terms with it.

The singer – who presented The Xtra Factor with Flack for two years before they both fronted one series of The X Factor together in 2015 – said the Love Island star left “a massive hole” after taking her own life in February.

Speaking to Vicky Pattison on her The Secret To podcast, Murs said that his friend’s death “still hurts every day”.

“For Caz not to be here anymore is hard, it’s difficult. It doesn’t get easy. I’m just fortunate that I spent so many great memories with her, I’ve so many amazing times with her that I can look back on, I’m very fortunate that a lot of it was documented,” he said.

“I am still struggling. It hurts every day thinking about what she must have gone through.”

The “Trouble Maker” singer added that he thinks about Flack most days and misses being able to send her a message or speak to her over the phone.

“It’s mad when you do lose someone you care about. We didn’t speak every day, we didn’t message every day, but there is a massive hole in my life without Caz in it. I think about her most days, I think about what she’d be doing on TikTok,” he said.

“I know that goodbyes are not forever. I know I’ll see her again at some point so I look forward to that day.”

Murs also discussed their “special chemistry”, saying people often thought they were in a relationship because they were so close.

“We weren’t together – we never, ever got together, we never pulled each other. We were just always like brother and sister. I’ve never experienced that level of friendship before,” he explained.

“It breaks my heart what happened. I love her.”

The Voice judge added that he was comforted by people who had suffered loss through suicide messaging him on social media when the Love Island host passed away.

“It felt like everyone was together and mourning together over Caz,” Murs said.

“I felt like none of my friends knew what I was going through or how I felt, and when other people were messaging me saying ‘I lost a friend to suicide’ and were telling me stories, it was comforting to hear.”

Flack died on 15 February, with an inquest earlier this month ruling her death a suicide.

The coroner stated that the television star struggled with her mental health and having her case “played out in the national press … was incredibly difficult for her”.

“I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity – it would all come down upon her,” they said.

The ruling came after Flack’s mother, Chris Flack, accused the CPS of making an example of her daughter due to her “celebrity status” during the inquest.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offers support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

For services local to you, the national mental health database – Hub of Hope – allows you to enter your postcode to search for organisations and charities who offer mental health advice and support in your area.

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