The key facts
- Paul Flack, 55, brother of Caroline Flack, died on 21 June in Norwich; his death occurred with a blood alcohol level four times the legal driving limit.
- His partner told the court he 'never recovered' from his sister's death in 2020, and was also coping with his father's dementia and her cancer.
- The coroner recorded a narrative conclusion, noting the deceased's intent was 'unknown'; no family members attended the hearing.
Paul Flack's death
Paul Flack, the 55-year-old brother of TV presenter Caroline Flack, was found unconscious on 21 June at his home on Sandringham Road in Norwich and died later in hospital. BBC News reported this, citing a hearing at Norfolk Coroner's Court. He was pronounced dead at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at 23:45 BST. According to toxicology results, his blood alcohol level was four times the legal limit for driving.
Partner's testimony
Flack's partner, with whom he had lived for 32 years, told the court that he took the death of his younger sister in 2020 very hard, followed by the pandemic lockdown. 'I don't think Paul ever recovered from it,' BBC quoted her as saying. She described him as 'a man loved by everyone', but noted that this 'came at a cost to him'. According to her, she herself was diagnosed with cancer in 2025, and his father Ian developed dementia in his early 70s and died earlier this year. She also said that he 'showed no signs that he might harm himself — he said he would never do that'.
Seeking help and work
The court heard that in August 2020 Flack saw his GP about low mood, but did not attend follow-up appointments or counselling. A self-employed graphic designer, he struggled to find work, according to his partner, because 'the industry began to decline', which 'worsened his sadness'.
The day of his death
On 21 June, Father's Day, Flack spent time with his family. At around 18:30 BST his daughter offered him tea and a slice of a cake she had baked; he declined, went to the shop, bought four bottles of beer and spent the evening in the garden listening to music while his partner and daughter watched a film. At around 22:20 BST his daughter noticed he was not in the hammock in the garden and screamed upon finding him unconscious. A neighbour attempted CPR, and another called an ambulance. His partner had earlier told a neighbour that he 'had been in a bad mood all day', possibly because they were marking Father's Day shortly after the death of his father.
Coroner's conclusion and context
Area coroner Yohanna Thompson recorded a narrative conclusion, stating that Paul Flack died under the influence of alcohol and that his 'intent in doing so is unknown'. No family members attended the hearing. Caroline Flack, former host of Love Island and The X Factor, was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington, east London, on 15 February 2020 at the age of 40. According to an earlier inquest, she took her own life amid fears about press intrusion ahead of her trial for assaulting her boyfriend.
Image source, Instagram Paul Flack was Caroline's older brother. They both grew up in Norfolk
Image source, Paul Flack/Instagram Paul Flack died at his home in Norwich in June this year
