As tributes pour in following the death of beloved television star Kim Woodburn, one voice has stood out for both its honesty and emotional complexity—Aggie MacKenzie.
Once her co-host on How Clean Is Your House?, Aggie has finally broken her silence, painting a layered and sometimes painful picture of the woman behind the feisty on-screen persona.
Remembering a Force of Nature
Kim, who passed away at 83 after a brief illness, wasn’t just known for her no-nonsense cleaning tips.
She was a bold, brash personality who left a lasting mark on British television.
Whether it was scrubbing ovens on Channel 4 or clashing with celebrities in the Big Brother house, Kim was unforgettable.
Her former co-star Aggie called her a “tormented soul,” saying in a heartfelt statement, “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.”
A Working Relationship Fraught With Tension
Aggie and Kim might have cleaned houses together, but their off-camera dynamic was far from tidy.
The two co-hosted the hit show from 2003 to 2009, yet Aggie says they were never friends.
In fact, she once claimed Kim’s behaviour was so traumatic it drove her to seek therapy.
“She was a big, damaging part of my life,” Aggie admitted in an earlier interview. “I feel she almost destroyed me.”
The Push That Broke the Silence
Their tensions eventually came to a head during a live pantomime performance in Brighton in 2008.
According to Aggie, Kim shoved her so hard backstage that she went flying.
Aggie says she snapped in that moment, yelling: “Don’t you ever f**ing push me again.
You’re ugly on the outside and you’re ugly on the inside.”*
Kim, on the other hand, told others it was Aggie who started it.
The feud became so intense, the two reportedly didn’t speak for the final two series of their show.
Behind Kim’s Outbursts Was Trauma
Aggie insists Kim’s outbursts weren’t just diva antics—they stemmed from unresolved childhood trauma.
“There were moments, even on set, when I saw that frightened, furious young toddler whose needs had never been met,” she told The Sun.
She believes Kim’s difficult upbringing, including time spent in a children’s home and years of neglect, shaped the woman she became—strong, unpredictable, and used to conflict.
Tension That Fueled TV Magic
Despite their personal differences, Aggie believes their clashing personalities made How Clean Is Your House? compelling viewing.
Speaking in a 2023 interview, she reflected: “We were chalk and cheese, and that energy made it work.
Most of it was ad-libbed—we just bounced off each other on camera.”
But eventually, the emotional toll became too much. Their fractured relationship ultimately led to the end of the show.
An Iconic Career That Started at 60
Kim’s rise to fame was as unique as her personality.
Born Patricia Mary Woodburn in 1942, she didn’t land her first TV gig until she was 60.
Before that, she worked as a cleaner, a model, a social worker, and even attended drama school.
Her larger-than-life charisma made her an instant hit.
After How Clean Is Your House?, she went on to appear in I’m A Celebrity, Celebrity Big Brother, and Come Dine With Me.
She became known not just for her cleaning tips, but for her unfiltered takes and hilarious one-liners.
A Legacy of Love, Laughter, and Controversy
Kim’s fans adored her for being unapologetically herself.
On This Morning, hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard called her a bright light.
Claire Sweeney fondly remembered Kim calling her “the slapper of the parish” during a hilarious Come Dine With Me episode.
Social media was flooded with tributes.
Fans called her a national treasure, a reality TV legend, and a much-needed source of laughter during hard times.
Health Struggles in Her Final Years
Kim’s health had been declining in recent months.
In February, she underwent eye surgery and took a break from Cameo, where she’d been recording personalised video messages.
Her final Instagram post was in March, with her husband Peter later managing the account.
She had also stepped away from public appearances, with her last sighting being at the funeral of Drag Race UK star The Vivienne in January.
A Survivor With a Tragic Past
Kim never shied away from discussing the hardships she faced growing up.
She revealed in a 2017 episode of Loose Women that she was physically and sexually abused by her father and later suffered further neglect and trauma in foster care.
Her past left emotional scars. “I may put on a front,” she once said, “but inside, I’m angry—and I think I always will be.”
Despite these painful experiences, she transformed herself into one of TV’s most recognisable figures.
Always Unfiltered, Even Off-Camera
Kim’s bluntness never wavered. In her final years, she made headlines for fiercely criticising fellow celebrities like Gino D’Acampo, Louis Walsh, and even ITV itself.
She believed broadcasters should offer better support to vulnerable stars and often spoke out about her own mistreatment.
After a fiery Loose Women appearance in 2018—where she stormed off set—Kim said she felt “mocked” and “bullied.”
In 2023, she even called for an investigation into how ITV handled its talent.
A One-of-a-Kind TV Personality
Kim Woodburn was controversial, vulnerable, hilarious, and powerful—all at once.
Her impact on British television is undeniable.
While her personal life and relationships were complex, even turbulent, her contribution to pop culture is unforgettable.
Her husband Peter, heartbroken by her passing, asked for privacy as he grieves.
Fans continue to remember her with love, laughter, and a healthy dose of respect for the woman who truly was one of a kind.