As the Robbie Williams classic “Angels” cuts through the hushed studio audience, the couple begin to dance. Barefoot in a white thigh-length dress, the petite brunette reaches for her partner. He pulls her towards him and they move gracefully across the floor; the draping fabric of her dress swirling around their bodies. Suddenly, the man lifts the woman high into the air. With her body taut and perfectly poised, she holds a striking pose until he gently brings her back down, pulling her to his chest in one final tender embrace.
That emotionally charged show dance, performed live at England’s Elstree Studios in December 2014, secured the coveted winner’s trophy for the UK version of Strictly Come Dancing for Caroline Flack and her professional dance partner Pasha Kovalev. Along with rapturous standing ovations from the audience, the couple received a perfect score for all three of their dances that evening – a feat never before achieved in the television show’s 10-year history.
Caroline looked radiant with happiness. But beneath the smiles the TV presenter – who within a year would become a household name as the host of Love Island – was harbouring heartbreak and pain. It wasn’t the first time Caroline had kept her emotional turmoil carefully hidden behind a sunny exterior. And tragically, it wouldn’t be the last.
This story is from the July 2020 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2020 edition of Marie Claire Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE DISCOUNTED
Four game-changing women share why they want economic empowerment included in the conversation this International Women’s Day
home HAVEN
Sophie Bell, founder of Peppa Hart, invites us into her calming quarters, writes Samantha Stewart
BEHIND THE SCENES with PETER PHILIPS
An intimate backstage moment with the legendary creative and image director for Dior Makeup
MIAH MADDEN
The Australian actor on her biggest fashion crime, party tricks and the women who have shaped her
TAYLOR SWIFT
As she hits our shores in February, music writer Cameron Adams charts the unbelievable career of the world’s biggest music artist, from her Nashville country music roots to her record-smashing Eras tour
The road to NIRVANA
Editor Georgie Abay lands in the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan for the adventure of a lifetime
makes SUN sense
What if we saw a suntan for what it really is: a visible sign that skin has been damaged? Sherine Youssef looks behind the golden facade
RUNWAY to DEBT
Modelling agencies are ecruiting young people who have fled war-torn African countries and are living in extreme poverty. They are flown to Europe to take part n fashion castings, but some return within days or weeks, often laden with debt
CALLUM TURNER
The British actor shares tales from the front line, why you should play your heroes and his love for Free Willy
ALL ABOUT JESS
Chart-topping Australian singer Jessica Mauboy talks love, lonliness and music legend Whitney Houston on the eve of her new release, Yours Forever