TV presenter Aggie MacKenzie, who rose to fame presenting How Clean Is Your House? with Kim Woodburn, has paid tribute to her co-presenter.
MacKenzie and Woodburn worked together on the Channel 4 show from 2003 to 2009, but MacKenzie had previously said the pair didn’t get along behind the scenes.
In a statement, MacKenzie said: “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.”
Woodburn’s death, following a short illness, was confirmed by her manager this morning,
The highly camp show, with its dramatic music and Woodburn’s scolding of the offending homeowners, proved a huge hit, turning the two into overnight stars.
But MacKenzie previously told the MailOnline the pair were “never friends” while filming.
Woodburn appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 and was among the line-up for E4’s Celebrity Cooking School in 2022.
A statement from her manager said: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved Kim Woodburn passed away yesterday following a short illness.
“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.”
Her husband added in a post on Woodburn’s Instagram account: “My wonderful, beautiful, Kim passed away last night. God bless, my love.”
She finished in third place on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, when Loose Women star Coleen Nolan won and Irish pop twins Jedward were second.
The twins, whose real names are John and Edward Grimes, said in a tribute to Woodburn: “Rest in peace Kim Woodburn, you’re forever our Celebrity Big Brother friend.
“We grew up watching you and to share those memories together, you will be truly missed for the TV gold you created for all generations.
“You had our back when we got bullied in CBB and we will never forget that. There will never be another Kim Woodburn.”
In an Instagram post, the duo posted a picture of them hugging Woodburn on the show.
Woodburn’s autobiography titled Unbeaten: The Story Of My Brutal Childhood was published in 2006.
She described a miserable childhood spent living between her parents, a succession of children’s homes and a convent, before making an escape just before her 16th birthday.
But it also described happier times as an adult, including her “wonderfully happy marriage” and becoming Britain’s “queen of clean”.
