Ashley James pays tribute to Caroline Flack as she shares their old holiday snaps
The reality star paid tribute to her late friend Caroline Flack as she reminisced about their time on a luxury yacht one year ago today
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Ashley James has shared a poignant photo of her on holiday with Caroline Flack taken a year ago today, as she reflected on how quickly life can change.
The star took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday to pay tribute to Caroline by reminiscing about a past trip where they relaxed on a luxury yacht together.
The two women were seen looking happy and relaxed in their swimwear and shades as they posed for the photo.
In February this year, former Love Island host Caroline took her own life aged 40 at her north London flat after hearing the trial for her alleged assault case would still be going ahead.
Her death sent shockwaves through the entertainment world with her celeb pals and fans sharing their grief.
Pregnant Ashley recently revealed how her unborn baby has helped her with her grief over her friend’s death over the last few months.
The DJ, 33, is expecting her first child with partner Tom Andrews.
Ashley emotionally said that she misses the star “so much” as she posted the holiday snap.
“My phone just reminded me this was one year ago... [broken heart and dove emojis],” the mum-to-be wrote under the picture.
In a second image from the holiday, Ashley reflected on how much her life has changed in the 12 months since.
Ashley said she had lost two friends, got pregnant, started a relationship, moved in with said boyfriend and lived through a global pandemic.
She said: “It's made to think how much life has changed in 365 days: Lost two friends, gained and growing a baby, got a boyfriend who moved in, lost my DJ career (temporarily hopefully!).
"Gained a coaching qualification, lived through a national lockdown and global pandemic. Found pleasure in so many small things: like family Zoom calls and dog walks.”
She continued: “It just shows that we never know hat is around the corner so we have to try and enjoy life and the people and things who bring us joy every single day.
“Also, life is too short and unpredictable to do things to be around people who make us feel bad.”
Ashley’s heartbreaking posts come after she told Mirror Online her preparation for motherhood has given her a "positive focus" after she lost well-loved celebrity Caroline.
Pregnancy has also helped her through the difficult times with the coronavirus pandemic but she highlighted lockdown has had some benefits too while she prepares to give welcome her first baby in January with her beau Tom Andrews.
Ashley lifted the lid on why it's the right time for her to have a baby as she focuses on the positives and her health in lockdown.
She told Mirror Online: "It's just feels like it [pregnancy] happened at the right time. [I] Lost two friends at the end of last year, beginning of this year. Obviously Caroline [Flack] being one of them.
"Going through grief, COVID, death is all around us... It felt like the right time...
"[Pregnancy] is definitely something very positive to focus on this year.
“Especially when there is so much negativity and uncertainty for the first half of the year.
"And losing friends as well. Just seems so normal now, another extension of all the weird changes that have happened, you have to adapt to."
Lockdown has helped the DJ slow down and listen to her body more - including staying hydrated and focusing on her health during her pregnancy.
Ashley expressed she's had to be "extra careful" with staying hydrated - something many of us forget when we're busy - after she suffered with sepsis in 2018.
Also, the pregnant star was able to keep her pregnancy a secret until she was ready to tell everyone - rather than when she was showing.
She said: "Had it [pregnancy] happened before COVID, I wouldn't have had time to listen to my body as much.
"I'd have been out at events, even with TV going into studios instead of doing it online and you know even getting to tell people when I was showing rather than when I was ready to.
"Loads of positives from lockdown and pregnancy, especially during the first trimester I was so tired all of the time. Even in normal life, I'm staying hydrated, focusing much more on being healthy including drinking water.
"With pregnancy, there's a risk around kidneys and UTIs. A lot of women experience problems. I had sepsis in 2018. I've had to be extra careful.”
Feeling incredibly lucky, Ashley shared her delight over Tommy being able to come in to the baby scans with her amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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