When someone passes away, it’s not uncommon for old wounds to resurface alongside the tributes.
That’s exactly what happened after the death of Kim Woodburn, the larger-than-life TV personality best known for her role on How Clean Is Your House?.
Her long-time co-host, Aggie MacKenzie, who had remained publicly silent for years about their strained relationship, finally opened up—both with tenderness and honesty.
Their working relationship, which spanned from 2003 to 2009, was turbulent to say the least.
While the duo brought laughter and cleaning tips into millions of homes, off-camera, their dynamic was anything but polished.
Aggie Shares an Honest Tribute
Shortly after the news broke that Kim had passed away at the age of 83 following a short illness, Aggie released a heartfelt statement.
“Kim was a tormented soul, but now she’s finally at peace,” she said, adding, “Behind the fierce persona was deep pain and incredible strength. She was unforgettable.”
Aggie, now 69, didn’t shy away from the truth.
Their professional clashes weren’t just rumors—Aggie once revealed she had to seek therapy because of Kim’s behavior.
“We were never friends. Far from it,” she said in a 2019 interview.
“She was such a big, damaging part of my life.”
A Partnership That Was Doomed from the Start
Their tension went well beyond creative differences.
Aggie described Kim as dominating, even intimidating.
“She was the ‘main man’ on the show, and I felt dispensable.
She used to joke that I looked like Harry Potter, and while audiences laughed, I found it exhausting.”
Things hit a boiling point during a 2008 pantomime performance, when Aggie claimed Kim pushed her so hard backstage that she went flying.
“I lost it,” she admitted.
“I told her, ‘You’re ugly on the outside and the inside.’”
Kim denied the incident, but Aggie maintained her version, saying the hostility ran so deep it haunted her dreams.
Trauma Behind the Tough Exterior
Despite the conflict, Aggie did acknowledge the pain that fueled Kim’s behavior.
In a later interview, she reflected: “Kim was always battling something.
One moment she’d be sharp and charming, the next, distant and volatile. That wasn’t diva behavior—it was trauma.”
Aggie believed that Kim’s chaotic childhood, which included time in children’s homes and abuse, left emotional scars that shaped the rest of her life.
“For her, conflict was normal. Calmness felt foreign,” she said.
The Show’s Success Built on Tension
Ironically, it was this very tension that helped How Clean Is Your House? become a hit.
Aggie described their chemistry as “chalk and cheese,” but admitted it worked on-screen.
“We had a rough idea of the script, but most of it was ad-libbed. That friction created energy,” she said during a 2023 appearance on GB News.
But as the cracks in their working relationship deepened, the show couldn’t survive.
Eventually, the pair could no longer film together.
A Life Marked by Fame and Tragedy
Kim’s death was confirmed with a statement noting that she died after a brief illness.
Her representative described her as “an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person,” and shared that her husband Peter was “heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate.”
Born Patricia Mary Woodburn in 1942, Kim had a difficult upbringing.
She suffered abuse at the hands of her father and struggled with poor eyesight that wasn’t diagnosed until adulthood.
Despite these challenges, she built a successful life, working as a cleaner, social worker, and even a model before breaking into TV at the age of 60.
From Cleaning Queen to Reality Star
Her no-nonsense style and sharp tongue made Kim a standout figure on Channel 4’s How Clean Is Your House?.
But she didn’t stop there.
She later became a familiar face on This Morning, Loose Women, Celebrity Big Brother, and I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
In Celebrity Big Brother, she became infamous for her fiery arguments and unforgettable exit that required security intervention.
Yet, fans adored her unfiltered presence and fearless commentary.
Kim’s Final Months and Health Battles
In the months leading up to her death, Kim had quietly withdrawn from the spotlight.
Her health had begun to decline, prompting her to cancel public appearances and Cameo bookings.
Her final Instagram message, shared in March, said, “No more videos for now, my loves, I need to get better.”
Her husband Peter had been handling her social media, even defending her when fans assumed her absence meant a secret project was underway.
Kim had also undergone surgery on her eye and previously had spinal disc replacement surgery in 2022.
A Career Full of Highlights—and Headlines
Kim’s fame wasn’t without controversy.
She frequently clashed with other TV personalities and wasn’t afraid to call them out.
From Phillip Schofield to Coleen Nolan and even Gino D’Acampo, Kim had strong opinions and voiced them loud and clear.
She accused ITV of exploiting her, particularly during her heated Loose Women appearance, and demanded better duty of care for guests on their shows.
“They thrive on bullying,” she once said about the network.
Farewells From Fellow Celebrities and Fans
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world.
This Morning hosts Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard paused their broadcast to reflect on Kim’s legacy.
“She was one on her own,” Cat remarked.
“There was a light that burned very strongly,” Ben added.
Claire Sweeney, who appeared with Kim on Celebrity Come Dine With Me, remembered her as “TV gold.”
Fans on social media echoed the sentiment: “She rocked the reality TV world,” “One of a kind,” and “A national treasure.”
The Legacy of a Complex Icon
Kim Woodburn may have divided opinion, but she never faded into the background.
Her presence—on screen, on stage, and in public—was magnetic.
She was raw, outspoken, unapologetic, and unforgettable.
Aggie Mackenzie summed it up perfectly despite their differences: “She survived because she had to. I hope she’s resting now.”