Caroline Flack was a ‘lovely, bubbly’ person - Derry singer pays tribute

Conor was speaking following the tragic death of TV presenter Caroline Flack over the weekend. The 40-year-old is reported to have died by suicide and negative media and social media coverage has been placed in the spotlight.

Conor met Ms Flack when he appeared on the X Factor and she presented the show. He paid tribute to her across his social media channels over the weekend and told the ‘Journal’ how she was kind to him and helped calm his nerves.

“A lot of people don’t know that I auditioned for the X Factor in 2015 - the year before I appeared on TV after auditioning again. The day of my first audition, the first seven didn’t get through. I went on stage and Cheryl was a judge and told me to take my time. They must have knew I was nervous, as Caroline Flack came on and gave me a glass of water. She said: ‘Drink that and blow them away.’ I got through to Bootcamp and met her a few times after that and she was lovely. She was just a really bubbly girl and very funny. It’s just so sad.”

Conor said ‘everyone makes mistakes’ and do not ‘deserve to be punished for them constantly and thrown across social media and newspapers like dirt.’

He told of how a negative article can have a devastating effect. Conor outlined how his own tweets were once trawled, and one he wrote when he was just 12 was taken out of context and used as the basis of a story on him. “I do think that’s what started my slide into anxiety and depression. That was just one article. Imagine having hundreds like that aimed at you,” he said.

Conor said that while he was previously ‘always pushing’ for his ‘big break,’ he is now very happy with his career, his family and gigs. “I really don’t think I’d want that level of fame,” he said.

He believes there should now be a conversation about regulating social media. “Social media is great in that it’s a huge platform and allows me to get my music out. But, I do think something needs to be put in place in law to protect people.”

*Anyone can call Lifeline free on 0808 808 8000 or the Samaritans for free on 116 123 if they are experiencing distress.