GOOD Morning Britain host Richard Madeley has launched an attack on "toxic" social media in the wake of Caroline Flack's suicide.
The 63-year-old TV presenter said some of the comments received by the former Love Island host were "literally criminal".
Richard opened the show today with remarks about Caroline tragic death, and spoke about his wife Judy Finnigan, with whom he fronted This Morning for 13 years.
He said: "I'm not sure Judy would want to do the job we did today because social media is just so toxic.
"It's all very well saying 'don't go on it' – Caroline had to. It was almost part of the job description. And some of the stuff she had to read about herself was, I think, criminal. Literally criminal.
"If someone had gone up to her in the street with a megaphone and said the things they typed on social media platforms, they would have been arrested and gone to jail."
Richard was hosting Good Morning Britain with Ranvir Singh, in place of Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid.
He said: "One easy suggestion to deal with the social media platforms is to build in some algorithms. You can actually block some messages from being sent.
"The moment the algorithm recognises 'this is an extremely abusive message' it just won't send it. The technology is there."
Richard, Ranvir and showbiz reporter Richard Arnold all spoke about their shock at learning the much-loved presenter had died at the weekend.
Caroline – who was due in court next month on charges of assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton – was found dead in her new flat on Saturday.
Model Lewis, 27 denied the prosecution – with defiant Caroline determined to prove her innocence after denying assault by beating.
ITV released a statement at the weekend saying: "Everybody at Love Island and ITV is shocked and saddened by this desperately sad news.
"Caroline was a much loved member of the Love Island team and our sincere thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends."
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 16123
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
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