Entertainment
Newlywed Olly Murs emotional at Flackstock festival for late friend Caroline Flack as stars gather in her memory-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro
The public and celebrities came in their droves to support the cause.
Olly Murs greeted crowds at Flackstock in honour of his late friend Caroline Flack days after becoming a married man (Picture: WireImage)
Olly Murs was emotional as he led the celebrities gathering at Flackstock to remember the late Caroline Flack.
The musician, 39, was recently married to long-term partner Amelia Tank, 31, and spent a joyous few days starting their lives together as husband and wife, with Murs admitting he cried like a child to see her coming down the aisle.
Days after his wedding, he was straight off to Flackstock, a festival organised by Flack’s loved ones in her honour after she died by suicide in February 2020, aged 40.
In a bid to raise awareness of mental health issues, celebrity performers take to the stage at the event for live music and comedy, and Flackstock 2023 saw shows from the likes of Sophie Ellis Bextor, Jason Manford, Keith Lemon and Chris O’Dowd.
Murs, a long-time close friend of Flack’s, with the pair having hosted The X Factor and The Xtra Factor together, appeared on stage as a special guest, and understandably became emotional as he remembered the late star.
In photos from the night, Murs can be seen standing before the brightly-coloured artwork Flackstock is known for, dressed in a dark shirt and standing with his hand on his heart, his new wedding ring gleaming on his finger.
He appears to stare out at the crowd while his mouth is set in a tight line, looking emotional, just over three years after Flack died.
Olly appeared emotional as he took to the stage in a dark outfit, his new wedding ring on his finger (Picture: WireImage)
There were major sets on the day, including from musician Pixie Lott, who recently announced she is pregnant with her first child (Picture: WireImage)
The star shone in a bright pink affair (Picture: WireImage)
Murs was far from the only celebrity remembering Flack at the festival, as musician Pixie Lott drew crowds to the stage as she stunned in a bright-pink minidress.
The star, who is expecting her first child, performed at the festival to help raise funds for mental health charities, and was seen singing while playing a cream guitar as rhinestones glittered on her outfit.
Murder On The Dancefloor star Ellis-Bextor also brought joy to the bittersweet affair as she treated crowds to her back catalogue of hits, expertly commanding the stage in a pink tasselled dress,while wearing a black band on her arm.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor had crowds jumping for her back catalogue of hits (Picture: WireImage)
The Groovejet icon dazzled in a tasselled pink minidress (Picture: WireImage)
Many celebrities attended not to perform, but to help raise awareness and funds for charities, including Louise Redknapp and Kirsty Gallacher, looking easily glamorous as they gathered by the stage.
Meanwhile, comedian Lemon totally looked the part of festival-goer in a bright outfit and green glitter on his face.
James Argent looked healthy and happy as he smiled easily in an all-black outfit, showing off his impressive weight loss, and Flack’s mum Christine Flack looked deservedly proud as she posed beside Natalie Pinkham.
Louise Redknapp and Kirsty Gallacher were festival-ready in wellies, and still looked effortlessly glam (Picture: Getty)
Keith Lemon opted for a cool and colourful outfit and matched it with green glitter on his face (Picture: Getty)
James Argent looked sleek and cool in an all-black outfit (Picture: Getty)
Flack’s mum Christine looked proud to see the festival in honour of her daughter kicking off for another year (Picture: Getty)
Matt Goss channelled his inner cowboy with a hat, scarf and buckle, giving serious eyes to the camera.
TV presenter Ade Adepitan threw his arms wide with a smile as he arrived to the festival, while June Sarpong smiled almost shyly as she looked cool and casual at arrival to the gig.
Meanwhile, Towie star Chloe Brockett stunned in a white mini-dress and black cowboy hat – with the McDonald’s logo.
Matt Goss shone in rhinestone black pants, a cowboy hat and buckle (Picture: Getty)
Ade Adepitan looked overjoyed to be at the festival as he flung his arms wide in appreciation (Picture: Getty)
TV star June Sarpong looked great in casual gear and her hair in a sleek wave down her front (Picture: Getty)
Chloe Brockett rocked the McDonald’s look along with a sweet white dress (Picture: WireImage)
The annual festival is held at Englefield House each year in a bit to raise awareness of mental health issues and suicide, and to remember TV star Flack.
Last year’s Flackstock boasted performances and talks from the likes of The Masked Singer’s Joel Dommett, Ronan Keating, Tom Grennan, Fleur East, Professor Green, Natalie Imbruglia, and Dermot O’Leary.
The Xtra Factor host’s mum Christine said she wanted to put on the event because ‘singing, dancing and most of all laughing’ were things her daughter loved to do the most.
‘My Caroline was never more herself or happier than at a music festival with her sister and her friends,’ she said in a documentary on the festival, simply titled Flackstock.
‘Flackstock is the wonderful idea of those who knew her best and the perfect way to remember her singing, dancing and most of all laughing.’
Need support?
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
If you’re a young person, or concerned about a young person, you can also contact PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide UK. Their HOPELINK digital support platform is open 24/7, or you can call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email: pat@papyrus-uk.org between the hours of 9am and midnight.
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