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Metro
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
How 'Queen of the Clean' Kim Woodburn became a beloved TV star at 50
The legendary Kim Woodburn, who first soared to fame over 20 years ago, has died at the age of 83. Following her death, fans and peers in the entertainment industry have been remembering milestone moments of her professional life, having become one of the UK's most beloved stars. After becoming a household name on How Clean Is Your House?, she went on to star in reality TV shows including Celebrity Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! In the tribute sent to Metro by her representative, they remembered her for being an 'incredibly kind' person, as well as for the 'amazing' accomplishments of her career. 'It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness,' the statement read. '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. We kindly ask that Kim's husband and close friends are given the time and privacy they need to grieve. We will not be releasing any further details.' From working as a cleaner to becoming the 'Queen of the Clean', revered by fans across the nation, here's how Woodburn became one of the UK's most beloved celebrities. Woodburn found stardom later in life when she was 50, on a Channel 4 show called How Clean Is Your House? Channel 4 contacted a cleaning company looking for a cleaner with a fun personality for their show. At the time, she was working for the company as a live-in cleaner for a family in Kent. After meeting with the producers – and clearly impressing them with her cleaning aptitude and personality – she signed on and quickly became the star of the programme alongside Aggie MacKenzie, and became a star. With her hair immaculately coiffed into her signature plaited bun, pearls in place, and one-liners at the ready, the star would immerse herself in some messy homes, creating absolute TV gold. The series ran for six years until 2009, and Woodburn gained international fame as the show aired on BBC America. She also appeared in the Canadian cleaning show Kim's Rude Awakenings. The show led to major fame and cemented her as a fantastically entertaining TV personality with a quick wit and a sharp tongue. Woodburn and MacKenzie had a falling out after their series was cancelled, with the latter describing their partnering as 'chalk and cheese'. Paying tribute to her late friend, MacKenzie told Metro: 'Kim was a tormented soul, but now she's finally at peace. We clashed often. 'Behind the fierce persona was deep pain and incredible strength. She survived because she had to. I hope she's resting now. 'She was an unforgettable woman.' Soon after their cleaning show was cancelled in 2009, Woodburn went straight into the jungle. Woodburn was a contestant for the ninth series of I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! She finished as runner-up to Gino D'Acampo and appeared in the jungle with Sam Fox, Sabrina Washington, Katie Price, and Stuart Manning. The star didn't hold back when it came to voicing her opinion and quickly became a fan favourite with her hilarious takes and comments. Speaking to Metro in 2024, she reflected that it was 'horrific, dirty and frightening, but well-paid'. I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim for a piece about I'm A Celebrity last year. As a former columnist for Metro, she was in a prime position to give her razor-sharp two cents about the cast. I hadn't spoken to her before, so I was delighted to find she was a sweetheart and was completely disarmed by her self-deprecating humour. She was upfront about how her reality TV show appearances had helped her have a financially comfortable life, and then also encouraged me to sign up for I'm A Celebrity if the opportunity ever presents itself (unlikely, but I appreciated her support nonetheless). Of the many celebrities I've spoken to, she was among the friendliest and least pretentious. She was worlds away from the savage viral edits of her that constantly crop up on social media, and in my opinion, a lovely woman. Following her stint in the jungle, the star made various appearances on different reality TV series. She appeared in Celebrity Come Dine With Me, was a panellist on Big Brother's Bit on the Side, was a contestant on Let's Dance for Comic Relief, and appeared on the celebrity version of The Chase. But one of her biggest and most memorable appearances came in 2017, when she appeared in Celebrity Big Brother. Woodburn came in third place in Celebrity Big Brother, placing after Jedward, and winner Coleen Nolan. The star-filled series included Calum Best, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, Chloe Ferry, and James Jordan. It was a series with constant fallouts. Woodburn entered the house on day 11 and fell out with many fellow castmates, alleging that Jamie O'Hara was an 'adulterer' in the heat of the moment. 'You're an adulterer… You two-timed your wife, and she's got three kids!' she told him. The moment went viral and secured her in the hearts of the nation. Woodburn not securing the winning title was a travesty to some, with many saying that she made the series and was the perfect injection of entertainment that the reality series needed. After appearing on the show, she famously clashed with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield while appearing on This Morning and discussing her time in the house. This was the start of quips about the former ITV presenting duo, with the star also memorably falling out with members of the Loose Women cast. The star left the panel show after a segment as the panellists, including Linda Robson, Janet Street Porter, quizzed her about her Big Brother fallouts. The moment received 8,000 Ofcom complaints, with some suggesting that the star was bullied. Later in her life, she appeared in Loose Women, various pantomime performances, and in 2022 appeared in the E4 cooking competition Celeb Cooking School. More Trending In 2022 and 2023, she also made various appearances on the GB News show Tonight Live with Dan Wootton. During her life and early career, Woodburn also released four books, three of which were focused on cleaning and were published with MacKenzie, and one was an autobiography. The 2006 book titled Unbeaten: The Story of My Brutal Childhood details how her life transformed from a tough upbringing with an alcoholic mother and an abusive father to stardom later in life. View More » Woodburn is remembered by her husband Peter Woodburn, whom she married in 1979. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Project Runway star Arthur Folasa Ah Loo fatally shot at anti-Trump protest MORE: Lilo & Stitch actor David Hekili Kenui Bell dies weeks after film's release MORE: Nightcrawlers songwriter and DJ John Reid dies 'suddenly' aged 61
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Has Disney+ Changed ‘Doctor Who'? U.S. and U.K. Fans Discuss.
Last year, when Disney+ was spending big to promote 'Doctor Who' on the New York subway, an advertising campaign wrapped trains with images of the incoming Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and his time traveling police box, the TARDIS. 'Your cosmic joyride awaits,' the train wrapper read, and Gatwa's hand stretched out to invite prospective viewers — many of whom would likely be new to the show — to join him. The BBC had been making 'Doctor Who' since the 1960s, and it had been shown in the United States on BBC America and HBO Max in recent years. When Disney+ came onboard as a distribution partner and co-producer in 2023, it pumped up the budget for the show, whose special effects had become painfully outdated, and brought it to a wider audience in the U.S. This revamped 'Doctor Who' returns for a new season on Friday, with Gatwa once more playing a modern kind of Doctor, who is in touch with his feelings. The Welsh screenwriter Russell T Davies, who also oversaw an earlier revamp in 2005, is also back again, as the showrunner. Like last season, the episodes will be available simultaneously for British viewers on the BBC's streaming service, iPlayer, and on Disney+ for the rest of the world. This time around, that drop has been pushed back by eight hours, so that new episodes land at 3 a.m. Eastern time — perhaps in response to complaints from British fans, who had to stay up until midnight last season to watch it online. Britons who prefer to see a TV broadcast of 'Doctor Who' (a Saturday night BBC staple) will have to avoid social media for a day if they want to avoid spoilers. Gatwa is the first Black actor to play the Doctor and his tenure follows Jodie Whittaker's turn as first woman in the role. Gatwa's initial season featured a queer romance, in an episode called 'Rogue,' and a racism allegory, in 'Dot and Bubble.' Those progressive casting moves and story lines haven't pleased all viewers. Earlier this year, The Sun, a British tabloid, cited anonymous sources to report that the show was 'facing the axe' and that ratings had plummeted because of a 'woke' sensibility. Responding to the Sun article, the BBC said in a statement: ''Doctor Who' has not been shelved. As we have previously stated, the decision on season three will be made after season two airs.' So the stakes are high this season. Four 'Doctor Who' fans from the United States and Britain spoke to The New York Times via video calls to share their views on Gatwa's performance, on Davies's return, and on how the show has changed since Disney+ got involved. Their comments have been edited for length and clarity. Christel Dee, 33 I have always felt that 'Doctor Who' would naturally fit in a global franchise context. The idea that this tiny little show that has been on the BBC for 60 years can now stand shoulder to shoulder with big franchises like 'Star Wars' and Marvel is really exciting. It creates a whole world of opportunities. It was actually David Tennant who really got me into the show in terms of being a fan. I started going to conventions, started to meet other fans and cosplayers. In the first five years I was doing it, it was all fans my age, and we were all Tennant fans. But now, when I'm attending conventions, it's a lot of people whose introduction to 'Doctor Who' has been via Ncuti. The thing I really miss as a fan is that moment where you all sit down on a Saturday evening, with our families or friends, and we watch it together. For anyone who says that event television isn't a thing anymore because of streaming, just look at something like 'The Traitors.' As soon as those episodes come out, everyone is on it — the conversations, the memes, the reactions. It still really, really works. It's so reassuring to see that 'Doctor Who' is reaching new audiences, and also more diverse audiences. I'm not going to be shy of saying that — because 'Doctor Who,' historically, has just been an incredibly white male fandom, and the decisions that were made over the last few years to diversify the show have been really positive. Vera Wylde, 43 As a performer — and I do not say this lightly — [Gatwa] is the most charismatic person who has taken on the role. He commands the camera immediately. I do have an issue, in that I feel like I don't truly know him as well as I would like. The surface level is complete charisma, bright as the sun. I got that. What's underneath that? I'm still working on that. I had far, far more feelings about [Davies] coming back as showrunner than I did about Disney being involved. At a fundamental level, I am frustrated with him because I had hoped that he wouldn't just slip back like it's 2005 again and approach seasons in the same way — which is exactly what he did. It's mostly standalone, and there's a mystery box that is really blatant, and it ends in a two-part finale with the return of a classic-era villain. It's the exact same playbook, which is a big disappointment to me, because he has grown as an artist since he stopped doing 'Doctor Who,' and I wanted to see more of a sense of maturity. I don't mean make it mature content — it's not 'Torchwood,' I'm not asking for that — but just a sense of a more grown up and matured artistic sensibilities. Patrick Rogers, 22 With Ncuti, I just instantly knew, 'Ah, he's going to bring something new to it.' It's like the X factor, that indescribable 'Doctor-iness' about him. I'd like to see maybe a slightly more serious side to him, but not in the sort of emotional crying way that we've seen so far. It's not that I'm not a fan of that; I do sort of agree that if a character is on the edge of tears, but is not crying, then that makes you as an audience member cry, and sometimes, if the character is always crying, it feels like they're crying for you. It's really hard saying overall, because I just felt like it was such a roller coaster of quality. Which, ultimately, I prefer: I would rather tune in each week and think, 'Well, that was great,' and then next week, think, 'That was rubbish.' In Jodie's era, consistently, I just thought it was less than average, like four out of 10 every week. I really want the show to look forward and to get new creative blood in. I'd really like to get us some really exciting showrunner, like a Michaela Coel, who can take it in a proper new direction — not for box-ticking diversity reasons. I don't think I want the next showrunner to be a white man who grew up on classic series and is a super boy fan, like me. Tad Davis, 72 It's going to take a lot to get me to stop watching 'Doctor Who.' I mean, I think it would probably take Doctor Who coming on and holding up a box of detergent and saying, 'You really should buy this detergent' as part of the show to get me to stop watching it. As long as they kept the hands off of the content, I thought [the Disney+ deal] was great from a distribution standpoint. With BBC America, a 50-minute 'Doctor Who' episode would take an hour and 15 minutes, because of the commercials. It was impossible to build up any momentum in the stories. Ncuti is a very engaging, outgoing kind of person. There's certainly a bit of Tom Baker in his energy. I'm not sure that he specifically reminds me of any of them, because he does spend a lot of time hugging, and he does spend a lot of time crying. I think that it's an interesting variation on the Doctor. He has to work harder to prove himself, just like Jodie did. Jodie's the first woman Doctor, so she's got to work harder; he's the first Black doctor, so he's got to work harder. Anybody else can just waltz in and do what they do; they can't just waltz in and do what they do, because they've got all these expectations. I'm mad at the fans that are complaining about 'woke.' I hate the word. In the show, there's always been a bias toward freedom, against slavery, against exploitation, against prejudice, toward dialogue.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Millie Bobby Brown says press are "bullying" her over appearance
Stranger Things actor Millie Bobby Brown has criticised recent press articles about her appearance, saying "this isn't journalism, this is bullying".The 21-year-old posted a three minute video on her Instagram page, in which she called out article headlines and the names of the reporters who wrote has been on the promotion circuit in recent weeks for the press tour of her new movie The Electric State, whilst also making appearances at the SAG and Brit awards."I grew up in front of the world and for some reason people can't seem to grow up with me," Brown said. She added: "Instead, they act like I'm supposed to stay frozen in time, like I should still look the way I did on Stranger Things season one. And because I don't, I'm now a target."The articles highlighted by Brown criticise her hair, face, body and style, with some insinuating she looks much older than she is."The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face, my body, my choices, is disturbing," Brown said. "That some of these articles are written by women makes it even worse," she has grown up in the media spotlight since the age of nine, when she appeared in ABC drama Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and BBC America show big break came in 2016, when she was cast as Eleven in the Netflix's sci-fi hit Stranger led to worldwide recognition for Brown, who was nominated for various accolades at the SAG and Emmy her social media video, Brown concluded: "I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress or how I present myself."Let's do better, not just for me but for every young girl who deserves to grow up without the fear of being torn apart for simply existing."Brown has been praised by fellow actors in response to the post, including Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker, who wrote that she was "enormously proud".Brown's co-star in Enola Holmes, Louis Partridge, commented: "Well said Millie. Handled with grace."Fellow former child actor and The Handmaid's Tale star Mckenna Grace added: "No young woman or person deserves to feel pressure or cruelty for simply existing. You are so well spoken and so beautiful. Very well said, thank you for making this video."
Buzz Feed
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
19 Shocking And Unexpected TV Deaths That Changed Everything
We asked the BuzzFeed Community which TV deaths were so shocking and unexpected that they changed the entire series. Here's what they said: 🚨 Warning: There are MASSIVE spoilers ahead! 🚨 This post also includes mention of suicide. 1. On Young Sheldon, when George Cooper Sr. had a heart attack at work and died. 2. On This Is Us, when Miguel died after years of taking care of Rebecca and ignoring his own declining health. NBC "When he passed before she did, I was sad and in a bad mood at work all day, so I won't watch anything so dramatic before work." — jillievanilli 3. On The Last Of Us, when Henry killed himself immediately after he killed his younger brother Sam, who'd been infected. "The real devastating shock was when Henry shot his brother after being infected and then himself." — babybatz "I had to take a break after that episode. I think I cried for, like, 25 minutes on the couch after. Bill and Frank's deaths devastated me but Henry and Sam's deaths broke my heart." — katerumtruffle 4. On Killing Eve, when Villanelle was shot and killed during the series finale while protecting Eve, and only moments after she and Eve finally got together. BBC America "I'm heartbroken, TBH. SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO DIE AT ALL. Villanelle and Eve finally got their happy ending. They understood each other, and I think they could've been really good together. I get that the show needed to end, but this wasn't the way. I WANT ONE FUCKING HAPPY ENDING FOR THE GAYS. STOP KILLING US." — squid_nuggs "I think the best thing about her was she wasn't a villain in the common sense of the word. Her character was written with such complexity that her death felt like the least interesting thing about her. It fell flat, and she deserved better." — lanasmovingcastle "You hated her, loved her, laughed with her. She was the best villain ever!" — sweetpea_143 5. On You, when Love was outsmarted by Joe (her seemingly perfect match) and then framed for several other murders that he committed. Netflix "I thought the entire second season would lead to Joe finally finding his match with Love, someone who was like him and who understood him. Then, I thought the third season would be about Joe and Love married with a baby and working through marital problems, in order for Joe to confirm Love as his match. But, it only ended up with him killing her to turn his attention to his new obsession. I totally lost interest because the show seemed to me to be a gimmick. It didn't warrant my viewing investment anymore." — scorow524 6. On Yellowjackets, when Jackie accidentally froze to death because she decided to sleep outside of the cabin after getting in a huge fight with Shauna and the rest of the girls. Showtime "My heart BROKE when Shauna found Jackie's body. Now, I may be biased because I love Ella Purnell, but I absolutely loved Jackie. I know she wasn't always the nicest and had a lot of her own issues, but I have such a soft spot for her, and she didn't deserve to die the way she did. But her death was so major that it completely changed the entire tune of the series for me." — Lauren Garafano 7. On Arcane, when Isha loaded Jinx's pistol with a Hextech gem and sacrificed herself in order to destroy Vander and the Noxian soldiers before they could hurt Jinx. Netflix "Part of it was because of how it affected Jinx, and also the song that played (even though it was in Japanese) was the perfect amount of sadness, but also joy for the time we had with her. I remember watching the episode and then just feeling…empty." — cuteking187 8. On Veronica Mars, when Logan was blown up right when he and Veronica were finally happy. Hulu "100000000% devastated by Logan Echolls. I don't care if they needed to get back to more mystery and less romance. He didn't have to die for them to do that. And then, they never made more of the show to top it all off!" — pamelal4802dcefb "How dare you traumatize Veronica over and over again?! Why can't she just be happy????" — dropintheocean7 "The show only received a surprise Season 4 after fans crowdfunded an entire freaking movie (most of us because of Logan and Veronica's relationship)! Killing him right after they got married was horrible, and Rob Thomas acknowledging that he knew the decision would probably destroy any hope of another season was idiotic. In my head, Veronica Mars ends with the movie. Season 4 is NOT canon." — bougieporcupine115 9. On Criminal Minds, when Hotch's ex-wife, Haley, was killed just as the FBI were on their way to save her, and the entire team listened to it happen over the phone. CBS "Not only was she absolutely innocent, her killer also forced her loved ones to listen to her death." — volkihar 10. On 13 Reasons Why, when Justin had finally redeemed himself and had the best character arc on the show, only to then be diagnosed with AIDS and killed off. Netflix "No TV death got me the way Justin Foley's did. Four seasons of some of the best character growth I've ever seen, only for the writers to give him HIV and to die surrounded by his friends and family. And the speech between him and Heartbreaking! I've never cried so hard at a TV death." — megsmcg07 11. On Dead Boy Detectives, when Niko was killed while protecting Crystal from a dagger thrown at her by Esther. "She was such a fun, sweet character throughout the entire series. I loved watching her come out of her shell after her dad's death, finally make friends, and come to terms with being able to see the supernatural. And then she's killed by the antagonist, the witch Esther Finch, in the final episode. Having to watch her friend Edwin being forcibly dragged away from her body was just... oof. And then the shot of her apartment, just as she had left it that morning, really got to me. I cried nonstop. And then, on top of that, the show was canceled! Such a sad way to end an amazing show." — crispyhero236 12. On Sons of Anarchy, when Opie was beaten to death by a prison gang as his friends watched helplessly from the next room. FX "I have never cried so hard over a fictional character in my life. I cried uncontrollably for about 30 minutes. If I even hear the words 'I got this,' I tear up immediately." — klynn214 "After his death, I literally turned off the show and couldn't continue watching it for three months. I was devastated! He was my favorite character, and the way they brutally killed him off was just heart-wrenching!" — acidictoaster75 13. On Power, when Ghost was shot and killed by his son Tariq. Starz "An intriguing and central character, the manner in which Ghost died was questionable because there was no body found and it happened so quickly. Ghost loved Angela and tried so hard to do the right thing by getting out of the drug game. When Book 2 started, Tariq followed in his footsteps. We were hoping Ghost would return from the dead. Had Starz not canceled Book 2, I believe Ghost would've come back." — smellytortoise841 14. On The Resident, when Nic got into a car accident and was declared brain dead and so Conrad decided to take her off life support. Fox "I understand why Emily VanCamp wanted to leave the series but I loved watching Nic and Conrad's relationship from the beginning. I rarely cry at shows but the scene where everybody watches her body being rolled in when they donate her organs was brutal. The flashbacks of her with everybody at the hospital broke me." — ecgm720 15. On House, when Kutner died by suicide, and House was so caught off guard he couldn't believe that was what really happened. NBC "Kutner was always the nice and upbeat guy, so it was a huge shock. I know that's the point, but it really came out of nowhere. The worst part is House's adamant refusal to believe it could have been suicide. House always expects the unexpected and expects the worst from people, so it's hard to see him so caught off guard." — lauryn7091 16. On Jane the Virgin, when Michael collapsed and stopped breathing because of complications from his gunshot wound. The CW "Even though his character came back, his 'death' ruined me. Gina Rodriguez's performance was one of the most heart-wrenching things I've ever seen. I'd tear up every time they mentioned his name later on." — alyssag46001af5b "When Jane finds out about Michael's (fake) death in Jane the Virgin. When she gets the phone call and just immediately screams and falls to the ground? So devastating. Regardless of whether you like Michael or not, it is such a sad scene because of how distraught Jane is." — furryknight14 17. On The 100, when Lexa was accidentally shot by someone who actually meant to shoot Clarke. The CW "She was unexpectedly killed by a stray bullet. It ruined the show for me after that." — pantherfan22 18. On Degrassi: The Next Generation, when J.T. was stabbed outside a friend's party and Liberty found him after it was too late to save him. CTV "His death was quite possibly my first heartbreak. To this day it still hurts." — biancab4fef94982 19. Finally, on The Good Wife, when Will was shot and killed by his client in the middle of the courtroom. CBS "Will's death was so violent, and graphic, and unexpected, and unnecessary. If the actor wanted to leave the show, so be it. But the graphic nature of the death and giving no warning to fans was shocking in the worst way." — lisawinston "It was so shocking and unexpected. I still remember feeling the trauma/grief shock the day after that episode aired. The emotional repercussions and disbelief of the characters were so realistic it made me feel like I'd lost someone too." — jealousghost1122 What other TV character deaths changed the entire show for you? Let us know in the comments. Dial 988 in the United States to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365. Your conversations are free and confidential. Other international suicide helplines can be found at The Trevor Project, which provides help and suicide-prevention resources for LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jane Seymour says 'there's no slowing down' as she turns 74: 'I feel I'm doing my best work now. Why retire?'
Jane Seymour turns 74 on Saturday, and the Somewhere in Time star is having the time of her life. 'I feel I'm doing my best work now,' Seymour told Yahoo Entertainment at AARP's Movies for Grownups Awards on Feb. 8. 'Why retire? I'm producing, I'm writing, painting and designing as I always do.' 'There's no slowing down,' says Seymour, who is currently producing and starring in BBC America's Harry Wild. 'If anything, I'm not quite sure how I'm gonna get everything done! It's all happening at once.' See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman star said she's currently 'being offered lots of movies.' 'Whoever thought I'd have that in my 70s?' she said. Seymour said she feels honored 'to tell the stories of my generation.' 'I actually was thinking about it seriously, because I'm a baby boomer. My parents survived World War II,' she said. 'They met after the war, and they both kind of put the horrors behind, and they met one another and they started a family. So, I am part of a generation of new hope after absolute indescribable horror and hatred and a global war. So we are a kind of very special group, us baby boomers.' Seymour added how she is 'just so grateful to be healthy and well.' 'You know, we are not just little old ladies sitting around waiting until it's over," she said. In fact, she's booked and busy. On Monday night, Seymour opened the Nardos Fall 2025 show at New York Fashion Week, which was held at the Plaza Hotel. While not every person in their 70s can strut down a catwalk or star in a movie to keep feeling young, Seymour had one important tip to share. 'If I can inspire that little fire in someone who's sitting at home going, 'Oh, what am I gonna do with my life?' Get up and do something for someone else. You know, that's how you have a good life,' she told Yahoo. 'If you get out of your own pity party and see someone else that needs some help, see if you can cheer them up or do something.'
