Kim Woodburn, who passed away at age 83, achieved widespread fame later in life alongside Aggie McKenzie on Channel 4’s *How Clean Is Your House*.
The show’s 2009 conclusion marked only the beginning for this outspoken star, whose unapologetic candor created some of television’s most memorable moments.
Whether loved or loathed, Woodburn’s directness stood out in a celebrity landscape often characterized by diplomacy. This honesty garnered a large social media following and significant demand for personalized videos and appearances, particularly at Pride events.
Her status as a “hun”—a British subculture celebrating flamboyant female pop and reality TV stars—led to numerous GIFs and memes.
Here are some highlights from the “Clean Queen’s” career:
Perhaps Woodburn’s most famous outburst was her “You’re an adulterer!” tirade on *Celebrity Big Brother*, resulting in her temporary removal from the house.
Targeting former footballer Jamie O’Hara, Woodburn also clashed with Nicola McLean, labeling her “Miss Insecure,” “vile,” and a “horrible girl.” “You’re not worth saying anything to,” she declared. McLean later commented on the inappropriateness of Woodburn’s language.
Other *CBB* conflicts involved Loose Women host Coleen Nolan, who went on to win the 2017 series. This feud later extended to an episode of *Loose Women*.
Bad hair days are universal. However, the humidity of the jungle presents unique challenges.
During her 2009 *I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* stint, Woodburn’s outrage over confiscated hair products garnered attention. “My hair is integral to my career,” she explained, citing it as her trademark.
In the jungle hut, Woodburn stated, “My hair is breaking.” Speaking to campmates, she added: “I won’t have it. I’m not going to ruin my hair, which is known and has earned me a good living. It humiliates me.”
While dramatic, Woodburn’s signature plaited, platinum bun was undeniably iconic.
Post-*Celebrity Big Brother*, Woodburn discussed her experience on *This Morning*, describing her fellow housemates’ living conditions as “filth and stink.” When questioned about her payment, she retorted, “I’ve never done anything for money,” adding, “You’re giving me the impression you don’t know what you’re talking about, Phil,” to presenter Philip Schofield, who jokingly responded, “What a delight,” prompting a sharp “You big phony” from Woodburn.
Viewers and crew alike enjoyed the exchange.
Woodburn also appeared on Channel 4’s *Come Dine With Me*, memorably struggling to pronounce “mascarpone” at Claire Sweeney’s dinner party. Her inebriated verdict in the taxi home: “The food, okay, the vodka, lovely.”
Fellow contestant Tom O’Connor was visibly surprised, stating, “I’d never met her before, but I’ll never forget her.”
Woodburn possessed a unique ability to be both outrageous and insightful, a kind of foul-mouthed oracle. “I want genuine people in my life, not [idiots],” she once stated (using a stronger term), a philosophy she embodied.
She wasn’t shy about discussing personal matters, once declaring, “My husband was a goer…ooh, he was a goer!”
Other memorable Kim-isms include, “Every wrinkle tells a dirty story,” and to an irritating *CBB* housemate, “You’d make a great town crier!” She also famously described one Jedward member as someone who would “eat a scabby-[bottomed] rat.” Despite her colorful language, she maintained a certain decorum, inquiring once, “What the [expletive] hell—excuse me—has happened here?”
After a contestant told her “don’t start,” she retorted in the diary room, “I didn’t start it, but I’ll bloody finish it—excuse me saying bloody.”
In a reflective moment, she mused, “I may have another 10 years…Do you think I’m honestly going to spend that time putting up with [expletive] bags?”
Additional reporting by Chris Gibson and Steven McIntosh.