Paul Flack, 55, was found unconscious at his home on Sandringham Road, Norwich, on June 21 and later died at Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
A preliminary autopsy revealed that the cause of death was cardiac arrest due to hanging.
Paul Flack was found unconscious at his home in Norwich. (Image: Instagram)
An inquest into his death was opened at Norfolk Coroner’s Court on Monday (June 29), with local coroner Yvonne Blake saying further inquiries would be required before the circumstances of his death were fully established.
The brief hearing was adjourned to October 23 while evidence continues to be collected.
Mr Flack, an artist and graphic designer, is survived by his wife and two children.
Borough Coroner Yvonne Blake and Norfolk Coroner’s Court (Image: Newsquest)
Following Caroline’s death in 2020, Flack posted a childhood photo of his beloved sister on Instagram, writing: “This will be my last post here. May those who know be ashamed forever. Love you Caroline.”
The congratulations remained the last post on his Instagram account.
Mr Flack’s latest Instagram post was dedicated to his younger sister Caroline Flack. (Image: Instagram)
His death comes six years after that of his younger sister, one of Britain’s best-known TV presenters, whose death in February 2020 sparked a national conversation about mental health, social media abuse and the treatment of people in the public eye.
Caroline grew up in East Wrethham with her twin sister Jodie, Paul and older sister Elizabeth.
She attended Great Hockham Primary School and Wayland High School in Wotton before studying dance and musical theater at Bodywork in Cambridge.
Jodie and Caroline Flack in rural Norfolk as young people. (Image: Flack family)
She went on to become one of the most recognizable faces of British television, presenting programs such as Love Island, The X Factor and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! as well as winning Dancing with the Stars in 2014.
On December 13, 2019, police were called to Caroline’s Islington apartment following an incident with her tennis player boyfriend Lewis Burton. Later that month, she pulled out of Love Island.
Her body was found on 15 February and her funeral took place on 10 March at Greenacres Memorial Park in Colney, Norwich.
Caroline Flack visits her old high school in Wotton during rehearsals for the big show. (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2008)
Following Caroline’s death, the Flack family spoke publicly about the devastating impact of her loss and decided to challenge what they believed to be the circumstances of her final months.
Mr Flack appeared alongside his mother and sister in the 2021 documentary. Caroline Flack: Her Life and Deathwhich chronicles the presenter’s life, her mental health struggles and the events leading up to her death.
In the documentary, the family described Caroline as warm, funny and deeply loved, and detailed the enormous grief they experienced after her death.
Jodie and Caroline Flack enjoy a walk in the countryside (Image: Flack family)
Since then, Christine Flack has become one of the most prominent voices advocating for change in the way vulnerable people are treated in the criminal justice system, the media and online platforms.
She has repeatedly said her daughter should never have faced criminal charges following her arrest in 2019, and argued that the combined pressures of media scrutiny, social media abuse and legal proceedings contributed to Caroline’s death.
As part of her campaign, she met with politicians, called for reform of social media regulation, and continued to speak publicly about mental health in hopes of preventing similar tragedies from happening to other families.
The annual Flaxstock Family Festival also raised money for mental health charities while celebrating Caroline’s life and legacy.
Jodie, Caroline and Christine Flack, twin sisters and mother, Norfolk, 1980s. (Image: Flack family)
Paul Flack has died six years after the suicide of his sister, TV presenter Caroline Flack. (Image: Instagram)
At the opening of the inquest on Monday, no evidence was presented about the circumstances leading to Mr Flack’s death other than confirmation of his identity and the preliminary medical cause of death.
The court was told Flack was born in Enfield on June 18, 1971, meaning he died just three days after his 55th birthday.
Caroline was found dead in her London home in February 2020, aged 40. A coroner later concluded that she had committed suicide.
Caroline Flack’s mum Chris holds a sign urging Strictly Come Dancing fans to vote for Caroline. Photo: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Denise Bradley)
Christina worked for the Eastern Daily Press for many years and is remembered by many editorial staff as a much-loved and respected colleague.
Prior to publication, she was informed that this article would appear and was told that everyone at EDP expressed their sincere condolences to her and the entire Flack family at this very difficult time.
- If this story has affected you, you can contact Samaritans free of charge 24 hours a day on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org for confidential support.