How Clean Is Your House star Kim Woodburn has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by her manager.
The television personality gained fame on Channel 4’s cleaning show alongside Aggie MacKenzie and also made an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
Her manager shared with BBC News: “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our cherished Kim Woodburn yesterday after a brief illness.
“Kim was a remarkably kind, compassionate, and charismatic individual. Her husband Peter is devastated by the loss of his beloved partner.
“We take immense pride in the incredible accomplishments Kim achieved throughout her life and career.”
He continued: “We kindly request that Kim’s husband and close friends are granted the time and privacy they need to mourn.”
On Woodburn’s official Instagram, managed by her husband, a post stated: “My wonderful, beautiful Kim passed away last night. God bless, my love,” featuring a collection of photos showcasing Woodburn throughout the years.
MacKenzie, Woodburn’s co-host on How Clean Is Your House, paid tribute to her in The Sun: “Kim was a troubled soul, but she is finally at peace now.”
“We often had disagreements. Beneath her fierce exterior was profound pain and incredible resilience. She prevailed because she had to. I hope she is resting now. She was truly unforgettable.”
Shutterstock Kim Woodburn on How Clean is Your HouseShutterstock
Woodburn rose to prominence through How Clean Is Your House.
MacKenzie and Woodburn were not well-acquainted prior to the debut of How Clean Is Your House, having been paired after a screen test.
Woodburn also frequently appeared on Loose Women and This Morning, known for her candid opinions.
Her cultural significance surged after her participation in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, leading to the creation of numerous memes.
She notably clashed with Loose Women panel member Coleen Nolan during their time on Celebrity Big Brother.
In 2018, Woodburn appeared on Loose Women to attempt to resolve their feud, but a tense interaction left her in tears.
Woodburn became emotional while recounting her challenging childhood, ultimately walking off the set.
The confrontation resulted in over 3,000 complaints to regulator Ofcom, primarily regarding the treatment Woodburn received from the Loose Women panel.
Media watchdog Ofcom later received a significant number of complaints about the incident, with most focusing on how the Loose Women panel treated Woodburn.
Woodburn’s other notable television appearances included participating in the ninth series of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, where she was a runner-up to Gino D’Acampo in 2009.
However, it was Channel 4’s How Clean Is Your House that marked Woodburn’s significant breakthrough. The show’s producers paired her with Aggie MacKenzie, leading to its success from 2003 to 2009.
The series showcased the dynamic duo transforming messy homes while offering viewers cleaning advice.
The campy show, characterized by its dramatic music and Woodburn’s stern reprimands toward homeowners, became an overnight sensation, catapulting both women to fame.
Woodburn was also part of E4’s Celebrity Cooking School in 2022.
The singing duo Jedward, who shared the Celebrity Big Brother stage with Woodburn, expressed their condolences.
“Rest in Peace, My Lovely,” the duo remarked. “You stood by us when we faced bullying in CBB, and we will always remember that. There will never be another Kim Woodburn.”
Producer Lee Smithurst, who served as the showrunner for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, shared a photo on X of Woodburn engaging with school children.
“Sad to hear about Kim Woodburn,” Smithurst commented. “I worked with her once in 2018, and she was everything you could hope for. After filming, she noticed the venue was next to a school and said, ‘I’m a big hit with the primary kids, dear. Has anyone got a pen?’ – and she was right.”
Liverpool radio host Pete Price shared on X: “You either loved or hated this larger-than-life character. I loved her.”
Nolan reflects on the ‘ugly’ Loose Women dispute.
Challenging upbringing.
Woodburn was born in Hampshire but left home at 16, relocating to Liverpool where she worked as a live-in cleaner.
She eventually settled in Nantwich, Cheshire, with her second husband Peter Woodburn, whom she married in 1979.
In a 2008 interview with the BBC show Heaven and Earth, Woodburn opened up about her difficult childhood, referencing her 2007 autobiography, Beaten.
She recounted being sent to a boarding school at a young age: “I found the nuns to be extremely cruel. My sister and I were there, and we were treated very poorly. They were harsh and cold. I was about three or four when I went. There was no kindness whatsoever.”
She also spoke about becoming pregnant in her 20s and losing the baby at six months, ultimately burying him in a Liverpool park.
“I was alone, lacking support from my parents. My boyfriend of three years had moved on with someone else. I’m grateful that today it isn’t seen as shameful. You don’t need to resort to what I had to do out of shame and sadness. Of course, I still think about my son… it’s only natural.”
She expressed that she would never forgive her parents for the cruelty they inflicted upon her.
