CAROLINE Flack's friend Kristina Rihanoff has revealed she feels "such guilt" about the star's death.

The Strictly professional shared her regret over not contacting Caroline in the months before she took her own life aged 40 last year.

Russian dancer Kristina, 43, shared: "I should have reached out…I feel such guilt.

"During Strictly she had a lot of difficulties, coming out of a relationship and so on.

"She had a few wobbles on the tour and didn’t want to perform, so we knew there were a lot of things going on with her emotional state.

"But she said then, ‘I’m in a better place, I’m focusing on new things’ and I was saying to her, ‘I really am happy for you.'"

Kristina says she has since cherished a photo of the pair together in Los Angeles, after they became close when Caroline won Strictly in 2014.

The star continued: "I still have that picture and she seems alright then.

"But we’re all very good at covering our sorrows."

Looking back, the dancer admitted she has been berating herself and wishes she had done more to help her friend.

She told the Mirror: "Maybe it wouldn’t make a difference, but looking back I think maybe I should have reached out and I felt really sad about it.

"It didn’t leave my head for a long time."

Tragic Caroline died on February 15th last year.

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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Her mum Christine has revealed her estate will go to charitable causes and she didn’t have a will, and the donation will ensure that her legacy lives on.

The total value of Caroline’s estate was put at just over £2million in November.

But the sum dropped to £827,691 after debts and death duties were taken into account.

Contact the Samaritans

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article contact The Samaritans on 116 123. They are available for free at anytime.

Or email https://www.samaritans.org/

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