Former England rugby union international Danny Cipriani has made an emotional tribute to Caroline Flack on Instagram.

The fly-half briefly dated Flack last year and broke down in tears as he spoke about her on social media.

Flack, formerly a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, was found dead at her east London home on Saturday 15 February, having taken her own life.

She had stepped down from presenting Love Island after an alleged assault on her boyfriend Lewis Burton.

She pleaded not guilty at a court hearing in December and was released on bail.

In the 18-minute long video, Cipriani said he wanted to speak about his mental health in the hope that her "life will not go in vain".

He stated: "I’m saying these things out loud so people understand it’s OK to be vulnerable and you can take it any way that you choose, and that is also OK.

“But be kind – not to me, I don’t need that.”

You can see the full video by clicking here.

Speaking directly to the camera, Cipriani revealed how he had told Flack about his most embarrassing moment - when he tried to buy a gun in order to kill himself 10 years ago.

Cipriani played in Gloucester's Premiership defeat to Exeter last Friday and said he had shared "everything" with Flack.

Talking about his lowest moment, the 32-year-old said: "I couldn't do it because I had some fight in me."

Shortly after the news of Flack's death, Cipriani tweeted that he had missed a call from the former Love Island presenter.

A tearful Cipriani said: "I have been speaking to her for the last three, four months. We've always been in contact since we've been together and since we weren't. It's always been a loving friendship.

"I was so vulnerable with her in my moments when we first met and I told her everything about me. I felt safe with her. I told her all the things I was embarrassed and shameful about. She made me feel ok.

"Ultimately it was embarrassment and shame that killed her.

"We had spoken about how things needed to change, I didn't think it was going to take this."