The boyfriend of former Love Island host Caroline Flack has said he is “gutted” to have spent Christmas away from her due to her bail conditions.
Flack, 40, is accused of assaulting Lewis Burton, 27, in an incident that is said to have left them both covered in blood like a “horror movie”.
The presenter, who stepped down from hosting the upcoming series of the popular dating show, allegedly hit Burton over the head with a lamp when he was asleep.
After entering a not guilty plea to the assault charge at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court, Flack was released on bail with conditions that stop her having any contact with Burton ahead of a trial on March 4.
Former professional tennis player and model Burton does not support the prosecution and insists he is not a victim.
In an Instagram story posted late afternoon on Christmas Day, Burton wrote: “Gutted I can’t spend Christmas with you, I want to repeat I never pressed charges and asked the other day for the bail conditions to be dropped but no-one listened to me.
“I want this all to be over.”
Police were called to Flack’s flat in north London on December 12, after Flack is said to have beaten Burton because she thought he was cheating on her.
Burton has previously spoken out in support of the presenter, claiming she has become the subject of a “witch hunt” following her arrest.
Flack has taken a break from social media after she was berated in court for “flouting” her bail conditions before the first hearing on Monday.
She had previously posted an Instagram story aimed at Burton, which violated the condition of not directly or indirectly contacting him.
On Tuesday the TV host said she had been advised to avoid social media but she wished a happy Christmas to those who had been “so incredibly kind” to her.
Flack told her 2.3 million followers: “Been advised not to go on social media … but I wanted to say happy Christmas to everyone who has been so incredibly kind to me this year….. this kind of scrutiny and speculation is a lot to take on for one person to take on their own.
“I’m taking some time out to get feeling better and learn some lessons from situations I’ve got myself into to. I have nothing but love to give and best wishes for everyone.”
Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore will take over hosting duties on Love Island and its companion show Aftersun when filming commences in South Africa in January.