English model, actress, and television host Kelly Brook is as well known for her string of high-profile relationships as she is for her professional career. With a romantic life that’s rarely out of the headlines and a career that’s taken her from tabloid Page 3 girl to LA actress to TV gardening presenter, it’s fair to say Kelly is one of Britain’s most enduring and popular celebrities. To find out more about the star, keep reading.
1. Her TV debut was in Fist of Fun
In 1996 at the age of 17, Kelly made her first appearance on TV in the BBC comedy series, Fist of Fun. The show, which was written and created by comedians Richard Herring and Stewart Lee, featured Kelly as a schoolgirl in a series of skits called “Teachers”. Coincidently, Fist of Fun also provided the launching pad for English actor Daniel Mays, who you may recognize from Vera Drake (2004), All or Nothing (2002), and Line of Duty (2016).
2. She started modeling at 16
Kelly took her first steps in modeling at the age of 16 after her mother encouraged her to enter a national beauty pageant. Kelly’s photographic good looks ensured success, and brands quickly started lining up to work with her. In just a few years of starting her career, Kelly had featured in campaigns for the likes of Foster’s Lager, Renault Mégane, Walker’s crisps, Piz Buin, and Bravissimo. Her later career also saw her work as a brand ambassador for Lynx body spray and Reebok.
3. She was a Page 3 girl
Kelly’s voluptuous figure didn’t just draw the eye of fashion brands: within a few years of starting her modeling career, Kelly had drawn the attention of British tabloid, the Daily Star. The newspaper invited her to feature on their pages, and she soon became a regular fixture as one of their most popular “Page 3” girls. At around the same time, she began appearing in lad’s mags such as GQ, Loaded and FHM, drawing a host of male admirers all over the country.
4. She left Big Breakfast after 6 months
In 1997, Kelly (who was then 18 years old) began working as a host on various youth TV series for the likes of MTV, Granada Television and Trouble TV. In January 1999, she landed her breakthrough gig hosting Chanel 4’s early morning breakfast show, The Big Breakfast, alongside presenter Johnny Vaughan. Unfortunately, Kelly proved less successful on the show than her predecessor, Denise Van Outen, and left in July 1999 after just 6 months.
5. She’s released her own clothing line
After attracting legions of fans with her modeling and TV work, Kelly decided to capitalize on her success with a clothing line. In 2011, she launched her own line of swimwear with the clothes store, New Look. Not content with simply designing the creations, Kelly also modeled them, an experience she clearly relished, despite the hard work and weeks of hitting the gym it entailed. ‘I love doing shoots in sexy lingerie or swimwear because it makes me feel good about myself but a lot of hard work goes in before those shoots,’ she told the Daily Star. A few years later, Kelly launched a 2nd line of attire for the clothing catalog, Simply Be.
6. She lacks body-confidence
Kelly has frequently called for more diversity in modeling and has spoken out against the industry’s predilection for stick-thin waifs. Despite being happy to flaunt her curves for magazine spreads, she’s not always 100% confident in her body, as she explained to the Daily Mail. ”I am not as confident about my body as people think. And I’m becoming less and less confident as the years go on.”
7. She’s appeared on Strictly Come Dancing
In 2007, Kelly put on her dancing shoes to join the celebrity line up of the BBC dancing competition, Strictly Come Dancing. In a tragic turn of events, Kelly’s father, Kenneth Parsons, died of lung cancer during the filming of the series, and despite initially attempting to soldier on, Kelly decided to withdraw from the competition in week 9. Strictly wouldn’t be Kelly‘s only shot at reality TV, however. In 2008, she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2008, finishing in 2nd place overall. That same year, she replaced actress Jennifer Ellison as a judge on the 2nd season of Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life. In 2009, she appeared briefly as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, and in 2013, she stood in for regular panel captain Ferne Cotton on ITV2’s Celebrity Juice.
8. She’s had multiple high-profile relationships
Over the years, Kelly has become almost as famous for her personal life as she is for her professional one. Her first big love affair was with the actor Jason Statham, who she began dating at the age of 18. The relationship lasted 7 years, but eventually, the pair called it a day. In 2004, Kelly met Titanic actor Billy Zane: despite entering into a quick engagement, the relationship came to an end after 4 years. In the years that followed, Kelly enjoyed flings with sportsmen Danny Cipriani and Tom Evans, but neither could last the distance. These days, Kelly is happily loved up with Jeremy Parisi, and has recently sparked marriage rumors after being snapped wearing a gold “wedding band”.
9. She’s written an autobiography
If you’re interested in knowing the full story on Kelly, you can read up all about her in her autobiography, Close Up: The Autobiography. Published in 2014, the bio is a tell-all account of her modelling successes, her TV career, and above all, her men: “I started to think all these men are absolutely spineless,” she revealed to the Daily Mail. “I got wound up in the celebrity culture — I was either associated with them or the failure at The Big Breakfast. Anyone or anything in this book is fair game.”
10. She’s a keen gardener
When she’s not in the studio, Kelly is likely to be found in the stunning garden of her 15th-century cottage in Kent. Kelly, a keen gardener, has transformed the garden into a botanic paradise, which includes a wildflower meadow, a vegetable patch, and a trickling stream. “Ever since I was young I’ve always loved being outside,” she told Hello. “But it wasn’t until I had my own garden that I really became a passionate gardener. I’ve learned about so many varieties of plants and I’ve been able to watch my garden establish year after year.”
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