Is Kelly Brook’s big comeback in jeopardy? She was sacked from Big Breakfast, Love Island and BGT and failed to crack Hollywood – now ‘bullying row’ could derail her career once again

She’s been in showbiz world for almost three decades, despite being just 45 years old.

Throughout her career, Kelly Brook has faced many challenges, but she always manages to recover and move forward, seemingly with remarkable resilience.

This entertainer has experience in many areas of the industry, including modeling, television hosting, reality TV, acting, and radio.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. She’s faced numerous setbacks, including being fired from a popular TV show on three different occasions and repeatedly struggling to succeed in Hollywood.

You know, I’ve always admired Kelly’s incredible resilience. She presents such a polished and happy exterior, but beneath that, she’s a true survivor. She’s faced a lot of challenges, but always manages to bounce back and find her footing again. It’s really inspiring to see!

She remained focused and kept finding work, firmly believing she’d never leave her public career for something else.

Is this new conflict – a claim of bullying – going to harm her career again, now that Jack Osbourne’s sister has accused her of targeting him?

Kelly’s family has come to her defense, dismissing claims that she bullied anyone as false. They made this statement at their home in Rochester, Kent.

Kelly O strongly criticized the actress for speaking negatively about Jack to the producers after he’d helped her cut open an eel, something she’d found incredibly disgusting.

After their disagreement, many people have asked Kelly to be more understanding, but it’s still unclear if she’ll be able to resolve the situation successfully.

Kelly has often talked about overcoming difficult situations and feeling proud of how she’s managed to succeed despite them.

She explained to The Sun that her career was everything she had, so she felt she had no choice but to keep working. It was the only life she’d ever known, especially since she trained at stage school and hadn’t considered any other path.

She claims that every hardship she’s faced has ultimately made her more resilient, explaining that she’s successfully overcome challenges and navigated difficult relationships throughout her life.

It feels like a tough struggle, but I’m finally through it and relieved to be on the other side.

Kelly is back in the spotlight, heading to Australia to appear on the latest season of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! She’s hoping this will be her biggest career resurgence yet.

Modelling

Kelly started modeling at 16 after her mother signed her up for, and she won, a beauty competition.

She then appeared in advertising campaigns for brands like Bravissimo, Foster’s, and Walker’s Crisps. This led to her becoming a popular Page 3 girl and appearing on the covers of men’s magazines like GQ, Loaded, and FHM.

She was a major sex symbol of the 1990s, famous for her distinctive style – big hair, short skirts, and a revealing look. She often appeared on ‘Sexiest Women’ lists, alongside stars like Keeley Hazell and Rachel Stevens.

In 2005, she was named FHM’s sexiest woman worldwide and remained in their Top 100 list for an impressive 15 years, until the magazine ceased publication.

Kelly earned a substantial income from her work, reportedly making as much as £15,000 for a single hour of work, as she told the Standard in 2012.

In February 2007, she signed a deal worth approximately £1 million to become the brand ambassador for Lynx body spray.

She later stated that her body shape led to missed work opportunities, as fashion industry leaders often preferred thinner models.

She recently shared that she didn’t intentionally pursue a career in glamour modeling; she sort of stumbled into it. She also said being sexualized from a young age, starting at 16, made her feel very uncomfortable.

As someone who’s observed a lot of careers, I often see young talent thrust into the spotlight, and it definitely accelerates their personal growth. Kelly recently shared on the ‘How To Fail With Elizabeth Day’ podcast that starting her career at a young age forced her to mature very quickly – a common experience for those in the industry, honestly.

She explained that being treated as a sexual object when she was young was deeply upsetting. She never felt comfortable with being seen as ‘sexy,’ and instead described herself as someone who enjoys making people laugh, like a clown.

I’m comfortable being a bit unconventional, so being treated as a sex symbol felt really odd and didn’t feel true to who I am. What people think of my appearance doesn’t reflect my inner self.

She stopped modeling last year, explaining she was no longer comfortable with being viewed and judged primarily for the pleasure of men.

You know, as someone who’s followed trends and worked with a lot of people over the years, I’ve seen how challenging it can be when your public image doesn’t quite match where you are in life. I shared with The Sun recently how strange it felt to be asked to do swimsuit calendars well into my 30s and 40s, after spending my 20s doing that kind of work. Honestly, I’m happily married and really embracing my 40s, so it just felt…off. It’s a reminder that we all evolve, and it’s okay to want to reflect that in how we present ourselves.

Big Breakfast

Kelly’s first foray into television came in 1999, when at jut 19-years-old she was recruited to fill Denise Van Outen’s shoes as Johnny Vaughan’s co-host on The Big Breakfast.

What initially appeared to be a fantastic opportunity quickly became a difficult experience, and she faced criticism for how she performed.

Looking back on the experience, she told The Guardian that being 18, and new to television, meant she felt intensely scrutinized. She said people closely watched everything she did and meticulously noted any errors.

Reviewers felt she didn’t connect with her co-host, Johnny, as well as the previous presenter, and criticized her for struggling with the teleprompter.

Only half a year after starting as Denise’s replacement, Kelly was let go from the show. She found out while on vacation in Gran Canaria when she saw a news headline announcing her firing.

When she suddenly left, several presenters stepped in to fill her shoes, including Liza Tarbuck, Lisa Rogers, Amanda Byram, and Denise, who all worked with Johnny before the show ended in 2002.

Reflecting on the challenging time twenty years later, Kelly shared that it took her a while to heal from the experience, but ultimately, she grew from it and became more resilient.

She told The Sun that the young woman, who was nineteen years old, didn’t have a good start in the industry and she feels sorry for her. The woman was new to the business, inexperienced, and didn’t realize how much it would affect her life and family.

Looking back, I barely recognize that person – I’ve grown so much. It felt like people were determined to underestimate me and actively worked against my success, consistently trying to make me fail. It was years of deliberate sabotage.

I’ve grown stronger and am now able to move past the negativity and focus on living a happy, healthy life. It wasn’t easy, and it took a while, but I’ve finally reached this point.

Reality TV

Despite a difficult experience on Big Breakfast, Kelly didn’t give up on presenting and moved into reality television, starting a new chapter in her career.

I remember when Love Island first started! Back in 2005, it was called Celebrity Love Island, and I was so excited to watch it. The original hosts were Patrick Kielty and a fantastic presenter, and the first series had some really memorable stars like Liz McClarnon, Calum Best, and Rebecca Loos. It was a totally different vibe then, but still super addictive!

Sadly for Kelly, she was fired again without much ceremony, and Fearne Cotton took her place as Patrick’s co-host for the second season.

She revealed that she was let go from Heart Radio Kent in 2018, recalling that 2006 was the year she was getting ready to film the second season of Love Island in Fiji.

‘Then I got a call saying I wouldn’t be going, I was sacked.’

Kelly made it clear she’d be very eager to rejoin the show when it was brought back in 2015.

She confirmed she was still free, explaining the show she likes is back and doing well. She encouraged him to call her.

The next year, Kelly quickly became a popular contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. Paired with Brendan Cole, she was considered a strong contender to win after receiving the highest score in the very first week.

Sadly, she had to leave the show in week nine after her father, Kenneth Parsons, passed away from lung cancer. She was only 28 years old at the time.

She made occasional appearances on reality television, like when she was a judge on the second season of Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life in 2008. However, the show wasn’t picked up for another season.

In 2013, she temporarily filled in for Fearne Cotton as a team captain on Celebrity Juice. Fearne resumed her role in August after taking time off for maternity leave.

In 2016, Kelly joined the Channel 5 panel show It’s Not Me, It’s You as a team captain, working with Eamonn Holmes and Vicky Pattison. Unfortunately, the show only ran for eight episodes.

Recently, she’s found more success, appearing on Loose Women as a panelist in 2018 and again last year. She also made it to the semi-finals of The Masked Dancer in 2021.

She recently appeared on the reality show Celebrity Race Across the World with her husband, Jeremy Parisi, last year.

Britain’s Got Talent

Kelly had a string of unfortunate experiences as a presenter, but things hit rock bottom in 2009 when she was quickly fired from Britain’s Got Talent – after only six days on the job.

She claims she was removed from the judging panel because of Ant and Dec. She believes they had her fired after she admitted she wasn’t familiar with their roles on the show, which she says caused a personality conflict.

She claimed the pair had ruined her career, explaining after being let go, ‘I couldn’t find any work in this country after appearing on Britain’s Got Talent.’

‘The people at ITV were telling me that I had upset Ant and Dec and that was it.’

Simon Cowell initially brought Kelly on as a fourth judge, but removed her from the position within a week, stating the four-judge format was too complex. Three years later, Alesha Dixon became a judge on the show.

In their 2010 book, Ooh! What a Lovely Pair: Our Story, Dec Donnelly revealed he never understood why Kelly Brook was originally cast on the show, and admitted he was surprised when she was let go.

He recalled that Kelly seemed anxious, so he reassured her it would be enjoyable and encouraged her to calm down. She acknowledged him with a nod, then curiously asked, “What exactly do you do on the show?”

I glanced at Simon, who was sitting beside me. He turned to Kelly and asked if she’d seen the show. She responded with a vague, “Yeah… kind of.”

I don’t mean to brag, but the only person who’s ever asked me ‘What do you do?’ was the Queen – I met her at ITV’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Later in the book, the hosts admitted they were upset that they hadn’t been asked about Kelly being added to the show.

Dec explained they had asked two things: why there was a fourth judge, and why it was Kelly Brook. They didn’t get any answers.

As the show’s hosts, we needed to explain why Kelly was involved, but no one offered a convincing answer.

Simon made the decision on his own, without consulting anyone, and we didn’t think it was a good one.

Kelly was quick to respond, explaining she wished she could have continued on the show, as she thought things were going well. While Ant and Dec had always seemed friendly to her directly, it became clear they didn’t want her to be part of the program.

They were deeply offended that I appeared on their show, essentially believing I didn’t deserve to be there. They’ve made it very clear since then how unhappy they are with my involvement.

She also criticized Ant and Dec for including her in their book, saying, ‘I wish them all the best – they’re successful and happy – but they won’t appear in my autobiography, even though I’m mentioned in theirs!’

She directly blamed the two contestants from Newcastle, but also criticized Simon for how he acted while she was on the show, calling his behavior ‘disrespectful’.

Kelly told the Sunday People that the person in question would show up whenever it suited them, treating everything like it was all about them. She felt it was a disrespectful and dismissive attitude, especially towards her, Amanda, and Piers.

I always dreamed of being an actress, not a reality TV judge. When Simon let me go, I just accepted it, took the money I earned, and returned to the United States.

People assumed I was eager to join the show and went after Simon to get on it, but that’s not what happened at all. Actually, he contacted me the day before and asked me to participate.

Acting career

I’ve always admired Kelly’s drive! While she was juggling modeling, hosting, and even reality TV, she never gave up on her real passion: acting. It was something she’d wanted to do for years, and she kept pursuing it despite everything else she had going on.

She dated Jason Statham in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and they were even engaged to be married during their seven-year relationship.

Back then, the tough-guy actor, then 58 years old, was a diver hoping to become a movie star. He later shared that his wife encouraged them both to move to Los Angeles and pursue their dreams of success.

Jason’s career took off rapidly after being cast in Guy Ritchie’s films Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000), while Kelly’s career struggled.

She appeared in several smaller roles, including a few episodes of Smallville as Lex Luthor’s girlfriend, a minor part in The Italian Job, and the main role in the romantic comedy School For Seduction.

In a recent interview on Elizabeth Day’s podcast, ‘How to Fail,’ Kelly revealed she paused her own career to support Jason’s success.

She admitted that her first relationship had unhealthy aspects of co-dependency, and she ended up sacrificing her career and personal life for it.

I enjoyed a great job at MTV, hosting a daily show. It came right after I left The Big Breakfast, and I worked there for about a year. At the time, my partner was an actor.

I recall him being offered some small parts, like a security guard role on EastEnders, but he was so talented and charismatic that I felt we needed to move to America. I really believed it would be the key to our success.

Kelly explained that she ended her relationship with Jason in 2004 because she felt unsupported as his career took off. She had always been there for him, and he didn’t reciprocate, leaving her feeling neglected.

I remember having a great job, but we were struggling financially. I ended up leaving my job to support my partner and help them build their career. While they thrived, my own career stalled a bit because I didn’t have the same chances to advance.

Traveling constantly between the UK and Los Angeles was really draining, both physically and financially. It left me feeling completely exhausted.

His career really started to flourish, but I ended up completely losing myself in the process. I gave so much and didn’t prioritize my own needs, which left me feeling incredibly overlooked. Eventually, I fell out of love with him because he wasn’t there for me the way I had been for him, and I felt completely unsupported.

In 2005, Kelly starred in the erotic thriller Survival Island alongside Billy Zane. They played shipwreck survivors and began dating, becoming engaged until they ended their relationship in 2008.

She initially agreed to the film, but later felt it was too explicit and asked for her nude scenes to be cut. The producers refused, and the movie received negative reviews and was released directly to DVD.

I was so excited when she and Billy got back together to play lovers in ‘Fishtales’ back in 2007! It was a family comedy, and I really hoped it would be great. Sadly, the premiere at Cannes was a disaster. I heard some critics actually walked out before it even finished – it was heartbreaking to see such a negative reaction.

Following that, Kelly appeared in the horror comedy remake Piranha 3D, which earned $83 million worldwide. She was also set to star in Hotel Caledonia, a film about backpackers working at a remote hotel in Scotland.

The film was cancelled after its stars, Gillian Anderson and Jaime Pressley, decided to withdraw from the project.

In 2012, Kelly appeared as herself in the film Keith Lemon: The Film, which earned £4 million at the UK box office despite receiving largely negative reviews. She also briefly performed on stage, including in a West End production of Calendar Girls.

In 2016, she received a life-changing opportunity when she was cast in a significant role on the American comedy series, One Big Happy, which was created by Ellen DeGeneres.

At the time, people predicted Kelly would become as successful as Sofia Vergara from Modern Family, and reports said she made around £550,000 for just six episodes of her show.

She once told The Mail On Sunday that she admired Sofia, praising her fun accent and comedic talent, as well as finding her attractive. She wished she could emulate Sofia’s overall style.

I wish I could experience some of the good things she’s achieved. I’ve always been the one people laugh at, the one who gets used as a fool.

The show’s creator, Liz Feldman, was very enthusiastic about Kelly’s abilities, believing the role would quickly make her a major star in both America and Britain.

Before the show even aired, she excitedly shared how she discovered Kelly. She received Kelly’s audition tape on a Saturday and instantly recognized her talent, even though she hadn’t heard of her before. Kelly traveled to Los Angeles just two days later, aced her screen test, and secured the role by the end of the week.

She’s incredibly talented – America hasn’t fully discovered her yet, but they will. She’s captivating on screen, and her charm, energy, and comedic timing are sure to win audiences over.

I really want everyone in the UK to see how amazing Kelly is on the show. I think viewers will quickly connect with her and see a different side of her.

Unfortunately for Kelly, the sitcom was canceled by NBC after just six episodes. Ratings and reviews were very poor, with critics describing the show as unoriginal and not funny, and Kelly’s acting as disastrous and unpersuasive.

She shared her excitement on Instagram, calling the opportunity ‘incredibly rewarding’ and saying it was the best job she’s ever had. She ended her post by saying she needed to go and celebrate with some tears.

According to a source who spoke with The Mirror, appearing on the show would probably harm Kelly’s career instead of helping it.

Now, Kelly’s biggest challenge will be overcoming this significant failure and rebuilding her reputation as a talented actress.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve seen so many people chase dreams and then make tough choices. Kelly, for example, really put her acting aspirations aside after a brief appearance on Midsomer Murders back in 2018. She actually told me she even passed up a movie role because filming would have meant using her precious vacation time at Heart – a real testament to her commitment to that job!

In 2019, she announced she was stepping away from acting. She explained that she wasn’t as driven as she used to be and preferred a simpler life. She didn’t feel the need to constantly be attending events, seeking publicity, or chasing roles in Los Angeles.

I’m not feeling overwhelmed, but I feel like I’ve already experienced everything this role has to offer. Right now, I want to prioritize my personal well-being, my family – especially Jeremy – our home, and my work, and that’s all I want to focus on.

Radio

Kelly has always been resilient and adaptable, and recently she’s transitioned her career to focus on broadcasting, including radio and lifestyle-related projects.

I’ve been a huge fan of Amanda Abbington on Heart London’s Drivetime show with Jason King ever since she joined in 2019! Before that, she was working at a local station in Kent, and she’s always talked about how that move was about really changing things up and trying something completely new – a total reinvention, she called it.

After trying her hand at acting, modeling, and hosting, she feels like she’s been given a fresh start with her radio job.

In a 2019 interview with Hello! magazine, she explained that she felt like she’d been given a second chance. She admitted to previously thinking her time had passed and it was someone else’s opportunity now.

‘When an opportunity like this comes along, all of a sudden you’ve got another shot.’

Kelly admitted she used to doubt her abilities because of past career setbacks, but she feels confident now that she’s working in the media industry.

She enjoys working at Global because her role involves daily interaction and connection with people. She also appreciates having job security – something she hasn’t always had in previous positions.

It’s a feeling of reassurance, like thinking, “I’m capable, and a good person. People enjoy my company and collaborating with me.”

Self-doubt creeps in and makes you question yourself. You might start thinking, “What’s wrong with me? Why isn’t this going as planned?”

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!

Kelly is hoping to use her appearance on I’m A Celebrity to make an epic career comeback.

In addition to a reported £80,000 signing bonus, she’s strategically planning to use the show’s platform to showcase her personality and launch a new venture.

Oh my gosh, can you BELIEVE it? It’s a total shock! I remember back in 2018, she was SO adamant – she said there were a ‘million’ things she’d rather do than go on that jungle show! A MILLION! So seeing her actually do it? It’s just…wow. A complete change of heart! I’m still processing it, honestly. It’s like she did a total 180!

She said on her Heart radio show that she has no desire to try the unusual foods featured on the show, like eyeballs or sheep testicles.

‘Even if I had a huge tax bill and I had to pay it really urgently, I still wouldn’t do it.

Seven years after appearing on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’, Kelly is planning to use her newfound fame to start a line of Italian food products with her husband, Jeremy.

She recently submitted an application to the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark the name “Parisi Arpino,” as reported on the GOV.UK website.

The documents show the company intends to sell pizzas, pasta, pasta sauce, along with items like olive oil, meat, and cheese.

Legal teams are still evaluating the application, but if it’s approved, the trademark will be protected for a decade.

This decision suggests Kelly is taking a similar path to Sophia Loren, the iconic Italian actress. Loren successfully transitioned from being known as a sex symbol to a savvy businesswoman, famously stating she was no longer interested in appealing to men.

She was both beautiful and intelligent, successfully opening the Italian restaurant Sophia Loren Original Italian Food and later expanding into lifestyle brands like Sophia Loren Home.

Okay, so Kelly’s definitely owning her confidence! She’s been making waves with her bikini choices during her iconic jungle showers, and while she’s working to be seen for more than just her looks, she’s clearly embracing feeling good in her own skin – and honestly, who can blame her? It’s all about owning your power and having fun with it!

She’s getting a lot of attention in a popular show, and to make sure she looks her best on screen, her bikinis have been checked to confirm they fit and flatter her figure.

Kelly shared with the Mail on Sunday that she’s brought a wide variety of bikinis for her time in the jungle, but hasn’t decided which ones she’ll wear yet.

‘They’ve all gone off to wardrobe to get tested on camera, so they’ll decide for me.’

Kelly intends to repeat a famous moment from Myleene Klass’s time on the show. Klass caused a sensation in 2006 when she wore a white bikini while showering on camera.

That iconic moment is now a part of ‘I’m a Celebrity’ legend, and many think it was key to Myleene, now 47, becoming the show’s runner-up. Since then, lots of celebrities have tried to recreate the same impact.

Oh my gosh, you won’t BELIEVE this! I just heard that Myleene actually told someone about the shower situation before she even went on ‘I’m a Celebrity’! Apparently, she talked to a radio host about it beforehand – can you imagine?! It’s like she knew it was going to be a thing, or maybe she just needed to vent. Either way, I’m obsessed with knowing every little detail of her jungle experience, and this is HUGE!

You know, my friend learned the hard way on one trip – she showed up and immediately had to go buy a swimsuit! That really stuck with me. Now, I always overpack when it comes to swimwear. I like to have tons of choices, so I’m prepared for anything – whether it’s lounging by the pool or hitting the beach!

That famous scene with her in a white bikini, the one in the shower where she looked amazing, wasn’t something they planned beforehand. It just happened naturally.

You know, as someone who looks at life’s patterns, I truly believe some things just happen. Trying to duplicate a moment like that would be nearly impossible. It was meant to be, a perfect alignment of timing and circumstance, and honestly, it was her time to shine. It felt like destiny, and those moments are irreplaceable.

Kelly also wants to show viewers a different side of her personality on the show, and she’s given a heads-up before it begins.

She said: ‘I’m not a 20-year-old bikini model anymore. You know, I am a very different person.

‘I am older, but I am still strong and I am still fit, and that is the most important thing.’

Kelly is getting more attention on the show due to an escalating conflict with Jack Osbourne, and Jack’s sister has accused her of bullying.

Kelly Osbourne’s family defended her this week after she claimed her sister was bullying her, following an argument with their brother Jack on the reality show I’m a Celebrity.

Kelly O strongly criticized the actress, model, and radio presenter for speaking negatively about Jack to others after he’d kindly helped her cut an eel – something she’d found particularly unpleasant earlier.

At Kelly’s house, her stepfather strongly denied accusations that Osbourne had bullied her, calling them ‘completely false’.

Viewers of ‘I’m a Celebrity’ saw an uncomfortable moment between Jack and Brook on Wednesday’s episode—their second heated disagreement so far.

Jack, age 40, offered to help his fellow camper with dinner, kindly asking if he could fillet the fish for her.

Kelly initially accepted Jack’s offer, but later told the cameras that he aggressively pushed her aside. She explained that Jack became very excited when he saw the fish, ‘ran over, and basically shoved me out of the way like a caveman.’ Kelly then decided she would handle the situation herself.

Kelly was determined to fillet the fish herself, but she kept getting nauseated by the odor. Jack’s sister accused her of being overly dramatic about it.

Speaking on Instagram, Kelly O said: ‘Kelly Brook… I don’t think I like you.

Pushing others aside to get what you want, and then putting on a show about it—it’s all just for attention and so over the top.

You make me feel protective, like an older sister wanting to stand up to someone who’s being bossy or unkind.

Kelly and Jack had a disagreement earlier when Jack commented on her potato-slicing technique while they were cooking together.

Their feud took a new twist, thanks to late arrivals Vogue Williams and Tom Read Wilson.

The two new contestants arrived on Thursday’s episode, joining the show later than everyone else. They’ll be staying in a comfortable ‘Leader’s Lodge’ with nice beds and have the power to influence what happens in camp.

In their new roles, the pair had to assign duties and chores to their fellow campmates.

The team chose Kelly to be a camp chef, joking that she resembled Nigella Lawson, and Martin Kemp would be joining her in the kitchen.

As for Jack, he and ex-EastEnders actress Shona McGarty ultimately ended up with dunny duty.

Ruby Wax will be doing dishes with Lisa Riley, Eddie Kadi and AngryGinge are in charge of water, and Alex Scott and Aitch will handle the wood.

Noticing the tension, Jack told the other campers he felt people were pushing back against Vogue and Tom. He explained it was like someone coming into a movie halfway through and trying to stop it or change the story.

Kelly had previously expressed feeling sidelined by Jack in the kitchen, admitting, ‘To be honest, I felt a little lost last night.’

I really want to contribute and find a role where I can be helpful here at camp. I’m still figuring out what that looks like.

She explained her eagerness to help Jack in the kitchen, saying, ‘I apologize if I’m being overbearing or messing up the potatoes, but I truly just want to be helpful.’

Jack quickly responded, explaining that he’s constantly busy at home with his four children, always running from one thing to the next.

Kelly explained to Alex and Shona that it didn’t make sense for the man to both say he wasn’t responsible for the cooking and then take control by deciding who would cook. He seemed to be both uninvolved and completely in charge.

Their argument worried viewers, who feared he might leave the show due to the increasing stress and his already emotional experience at the start of the series.

2025-11-23 11:42