Caroline Flack has quit Winter Love Island

The 40-year-old said in a statement posted on her Instagram story: “Love Island has been my world for the last five years, it’s the best show on telly.

“In order to not detract attention from the upcoming series I feel the best thing I can do is to stand down for Series 6. I want to wish the incredible team working on the show a fantastic series in Cape Town.”

A spokesperson for ITV told RadioTimes.com: "ITV has a long standing relationship with Caroline and we understand and accept her decision. We will remain in contact with her over the coming months about future series of Love Island."

The news comes after Flack was arrested and charged with assault by beating after the police were called to her Islington home last week.

A Met Police spokesman told RadioTimes.com in a statement: "Caroline Flack, 40, of Islington was charged on Friday, 13 December with assault by beating. She will appear on bail at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 23 December.

"This follows an incident at approximately 05:25hrs on Thursday, 12 December after reports of a man being assaulted. He was not seriously injured."

A spokesperson for Flack told RadioTimes.com: "We confirm that police attended Caroline’s home following a private domestic incident. She is co-operating with the appropriate people to resolve matters. We will not be making any further comment for legal reasons."

Alluding to her recent arrest, Flack wrote: “There have been a significant number of media reports and allegations in regards to my personal life. While matters were not as have been reported, I am committed to co-operating with the appropriate authorities and I can't comment further until the legal process is over.”

Rochelle Humes, Maya Jama and Laura Whitmore are now reportedly in the running to be replacing Flack, with Winter Love Island’s run previously scheduled to begin in early January.