
English TV personality Kim Woodburn dies at 83 after 'short illness'
Kim Woodburn, the English professional cleaner turned television personality known for starring in "How Clean Is Your House?," has died, her manager said in a statement. She was 83.
"It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness," Woodburn's manager, Craig Johnson-Pass, said in a statement to USA TODAY on June 17.
The statement added, "Kim was an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person. Her husband Peter is heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate. We are so proud of the amazing things Kim achieved in her life and career."
The statement also asked for "time and privacy" for Woodburn's husband and close friends and said they will not be releasing any further details.
Kim Woodburn was an English television personality known for starring on the reality show "How Clean Is Your House?" The show, which ran from 2003 to 2009 on Channel 4 in the United Kingdom, followed Woodburn and Aggie MacKenzie as they cleaned dirty houses.
Before appearing on the show, Woodburn worked as a house cleaner in the U.K. and U.S., according to BBC.
Born Patricia Mary McKenzie on March 25, 1942, Woodburn had an abusive childhood and left home at the age of 15, she wrote in her 2006 book "Unbeaten."
Her role on "How Clean Is Your House?" earned Woodburn the nickname The Queen of Clean, according to BBC. After the show was canceled, she went on to appear on several other reality shows, including "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2017.
On her Instagram following her death, Woodburn's husband shared a video slideshow of photos of her.
"My wonderful, beautiful, Kim passed away last night. God bless, my love, xx xx," Peter Woodburn wrote.
Fans took to the comments to react to the news; one user called her "a national treasure."
"RIP Kim. You rocked the reality TV world and made us laugh so much throughout the years. Thank you for the laughs," one person wrote.
Another said, "Kim gave us all so much laughter and rare honesty what a gem."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNN
29 minutes ago
- CNN
Anne Burrell, popular Food Network chef, dead at 55
CNN — Anne Burrell, a chef and television personality whose joyful demeanor made her a beloved fixture on the Food Network, has died, according to the network. She was 55. Burrell died Tuesday morning at her home in New York, the network said. Burrell's family said in a statement provided by the Food Network that her 'light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.' 'Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal,' their statement added. A Food Network spokesperson added: 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent – teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring. Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.' No cause of death was provided. A spokesperson for the New York Police Department told CNN in a statement that officers responded to an address associated with Burrell around 7:50 a.m. ET on Tuesday morning. 'When officers arrived, they observed a 55-year-old female unconscious and unresponsive. EMS responded and pronounced the female deceased at the scene,' the statement read. The investigation is ongoing. CNN has reached out to the New York City Medical Examiner's office for comment. CNN has also reached out to a direct representative of Burrell. Beginnings Burrell was a legendary chef but was best known as one of the Food Network's most popular stars, having appeared in several of the network's series including 'Worst Cooks in America,' 'Iron Chef America,' 'Chef Wanted with Anne Burell' and 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate,' among many others. Inspired by Julia Child and her own mother's cooking talents, the New York native became enmeshed in the culinary scene when she enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America after graduating college with an English and Communications degree from Canisius College in Buffalo, according to a biography. She went on to attend the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners following her grauation in 1996, where she served an apprenticeship at La Bottega del '30, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Umbria, Italy, according to the bio provided by the Food Network. Upon her return to New York, Burrell rose the ranks in prestigious kitchens around the city before appearing in her first TV gig as a sous chef on Food Network's 'Iron Chef America' in 2005. Burrell appeared on the cooking challenge series for 10 season until 2013. Burrell hosted her own series on the Food Network 'Secrets of a Restaurant Chef' between 2008 and 2012, where she revealed accessible professional techniques that viewers could apply at home. The series was nominated for two Emmy awards in 2011 and ran for nine seasons. Between 2010 and 2024, Burrell starred on 'Worst Cooks in America,' serving as the host of the series that featured some of the so-called worst cooks across the country competing to cook for famed culinary critics and win a cash prize. Following the success of 'Secrets' and 'Iron Chef America,' Burrell became a staple on the Food Network. She hosted her namesake series 'Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell' between 2012 and 2013 and made several appearances on Bobby Flay's 'Chopped' as a judge between 2011 and 2016. Her work with Flay continued when she appeared as a captain on 'BBQ Brawl: Flay V. Symon' in 2022-2023 and 'Beat Bobby Flay' between 2014 and 2023. 'I like to put happy and joy into my food' Whether she was appearing on screen as a host, judge or competitor, Burrell's passion shined through, especially when a situation called on her to rely on her experience as a culinary instructor. 'I truly in my heart feel that your food knows how you're feeling when you cook it and it reacts accordingly. I like to put happy and joy into my food, and it's not so serious,' she told Tasting Table in April. 'I teach the worst cooks in the world. I mean, you got to know how to do that.' After all, she added, 'It's just dinner.' Outside of the Food Network, Burrell appeared on many daytime TV programs to share her joy of food during cooking segments on shows including 'Today,' 'The Drew Barrymore Show,' 'The Talk' and 'Good Morning America.' Burrell posted to her social media as recently as four days ago, boasting about meeting internet personality Elizabeth Sweetheart, also known as the Green Lady of Carroll Gardens, while walking around Brooklyn. As she often did, Burrell ended the post with a hashtag that said 'I love what I do.' Later on Tuesday, fellow Food Network star Sandra Lee called Burrell 'the next generation of light in the culinary Food Network world' in a tribute on Instagram. 'We all adore you and will forever remember your quick wit, sassy drive, determined nature, and magical laughter.' Robert Irvine, who co-hosted 'America's Worst Chefs' with Burrell among other titles, said he was 'stunned and deeply saddened by the news' of her death. 'Anne wasn't just a fiery chef—she was a radiant spirit who lit up every room she entered. From the very beginning on Worst Cooks in America, our friendly rivalry was fueled by mutual respect: I'd risk bleaching my hair; she'd risk losing hers—an epic wager that epitomized her unbeatable spirit,' he wrote. 'It was a wager I ultimately lost, but I couldn't imagine losing to a more fierce competitor.' Andrew Zimmern wrote that he knew Burrell for over 20 years and called her a friend, saying he had just been with her several weeks ago, 'cooking in Puerto Rico.' 'My deepest love goes out to her family, friends and fans. At this time I think we need to focus on sharing our love and admiration for all the good things she represented and all the joy she brought to the lives of so many,' Zimmern wrote. 'I hope that as time passes we will learn more about this senseless tragedy.'


USA Today
38 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tyler Perry sued for sexually harassing 'The Oval' actor over 4 years
Tyler Perry sued for sexually harassing 'The Oval' actor over 4 years Show Caption Hide Caption Love Tyler Perry? Emory University has a course on his life, career Dr. Tameka Cage Conley has created a course in Emory University's Oxford College on the life of filmmaker, actor and philanthropist Tyler Perry. Ariana Triggs, USA TODAY Tyler Perry has been sued by an actor alleging Perry threatened the man's series regular role on TV and for several years used his "professional power for sexual leverage." Derek Dixon on June 13 filed a lawsuit against Perry – an actor, writer and director known for films from the wide-ranging "Madea" franchise as well as the new Netflix thriller "Straw" – alleging quid pro quo sexual harassment, work environment harassment, sexual assault and battery, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. According to the complaint, obtained by USA TODAY June 17, Dixon is seeking $260 million due to allegedly being targeted by Perry, who he said sought "a coercive, sexually exploitative dynamic with Mr. Dixon." Perry initially approached Dixon with career opportunities and cast him in the BET+ show "Ruthless," the lawsuit says. Dixon eventually ended up on the BET show "The Oval," which is Dixon's biggest onscreen credit; he appeared in 85 episodes from 2021 to 2025, per IMDB. Perry then subjected Dixon "to escalating sexual harassment, assault and battery, and professional retaliation when Mr. Dixon did not reciprocate Mr. Perry's unwanted advances," Dixon claims. This led to Dixon allegedly quitting in Season 6. TMZ was first to report the news. Tyler Perry's lawyer accuses Derek Dixon of 'setting up a scam' Perry's lawyer denied the allegations in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "This is an individual who got close to Tyler Perry for what now appears to be nothing more than setting up a scam," said attorney Matthew Boyd. "But Tyler will not be shaken down and we are confident these fabricated claims of harassment will fail." Accuser: Tyler Perry 'provided vulnerable men with acting positions', expected 'gratification' Dixon says he first met Perry while working at Perry's studio opening party in September 2019 and was offered a chance to audition for one of Perry's TV projects. Months later, in January 2020, Perry allegedly made his first physical advances on Dixon. Describing Perry as "a powerful media mogul," Dixon leveled claims of an alleged "sustained pattern of workplace sexual harassment, assault, and retaliation." Throughout his lawsuit, Dixon leveled claims of "sexual aggression," including over text, and provided screenshots. "Using his influence, Mr. Perry provided vulnerable men with acting positions, roles, show contracts, cars, and money. Once the object of his desire was hooked, Tyler Perry would then put them in fear of losing it all unless they engaged in Mr. Perry's perverted desire for sexual gratification," Dixon's lawsuit reads. "Mr. Perry would easily ''ill off' a character in a show of an actor who failed to indulge Perry's sexual fantasies," the suit continues. In turn, "Fearing that his career would end before it began, Dixon put up with these comments and continued to maintain that he was not the sexual type," the actor alleges. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Anne Burrell, Food Network Star and 'Worst Cooks in America' Host, Dies at 55
Anne Burrell — the beloved chef known for her trademark spiky platinum hair, larger-than-life personality and culinary expertise — died on the morning of Tuesday, June 17 at her home in Brooklyn, New York. She was 55. Reps for the star announced Burrell's death in a release obtained by PEOPLE. She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she wed on Oct. 16, 2021, and his son, Javier, as well as her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben. "Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend — her smile lit up every room she entered," her family said in a statement. "Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal." A fan-favorite on the Food Network, Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America, where her passion for food and mentorship turned disastrous kitchen hopefuls into capable cooks. Her infectious enthusiasm, signature laugh and fierce kitchen skills made her a standout in the world of food television. Born on Sept. 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell discovered her love for cooking early, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and television icon, Julia Child. She studied English and Communication at Canisius College in Buffalo before pursuing a culinary career at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated in 1996. Burrell's love of Italian cuisine led her to the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she completed apprenticeships and developed a deep appreciation for the philosophies of Italian cooking. Returning to the Big Apple, she worked at acclaimed restaurants including Felidia under Lidia Bastianich and Savoy in Soho, where she honed her craft in Mediterranean cuisine. In the early 2000s, Burrell transitioned into teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education and eventually made her way to television. Food Network audiences first met Burrell as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. Her charisma and culinary chops led to her own Emmy-nominated show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons. From there, Burrell became Food Network staple, also appearing on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, the competition series House of Knives, which just premiered in March 2025. Burrell authored two cookbooks: 2011's Cook Like a Rock Star, which made her a New York Times bestseller, and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower. Outside the kitchen, she was deeply committed to philanthropy. She served on the advisory board of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, was a celebrity ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and was a dedicated member of City Harvest's Food Council. "I feel so lucky to be able to share my true passion in life with others," Burrell was known for saying. Burrell and Claxton met on Bumble in 2018. "I have to say, I love being married," she told PEOPLE exclusively during City Harvest's 40th Anniversary Gala in April 2023. "We're together all the time because Stuart works from home. It's the being together all the time, but it's also the adventure together." This is a breaking story, more to come Read the original article on People