Kim Woodburn, the famously outspoken star of How Clean Is Your House?, has died at the age of 83. Her death on 16 June 2025 brought an end to a remarkable life that saw her become a household name in her 60s, a late-in-life stardom that made her a unique figure in British television.
Her husband, Peter Woodburn, confirmed the news, describing himself as devastated. Tributes poured in from fans and colleagues, celebrating the woman who turned a no-nonsense cleaning persona into a beloved television career. Her full name was Patricia Mary Woodburn, née McKenzie.
What Was Kim Woodburn’s Cause of Death?
Full Name
Patricia Mary ‘Kim’ Woodburn (née McKenzie)
Born / Died
25 March 1942 – 16 June 2025
Famous For
How Clean Is Your House?, Celebrity Big Brother
Other Shows
I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Loose Women
- Kim Woodburn was 83 years old at the time of her passing on 16 June 2025.
- Her cause of death was related to a short illness, though specific details were initially limited.
- She rose to fame at age 60, making her a notable example of late-career success in British television.
- Kim was a formidable presence on reality TV, known for her sharp tongue and memorable one-liners on shows like Celebrity Big Brother.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Patricia Mary McKenzie |
| Date of Birth | 25 March 1942 |
| Date of Death | 16 June 2025 |
| Age at Death | 83 |
| Spouse | Peter Woodburn (m. 2011) |
| TV Debut | How Clean Is Your House? (2003) |
| Signature Role | Co-presenter with Aggie MacKenzie |
Her family confirmed that she died after a brief illness, but the specific medical cause of death has not been publicly released. Multiple news sources, including BBC News and The New York Times, reported the same information, noting that the family asked for privacy during this time.
Who Was Kim Woodburn and What Made Her Famous?
Kim Woodburn was best known as the outspoken cleaning expert on How Clean Is Your House?, which ran from 2003 to 2009 on Channel 4. The show made her a household name alongside her co-star Aggie MacKenzie. Woodburn’s role was to demonstrate cleaning techniques, while MacKenzie investigated dirt and bacteria. The series became a surprise hit, propelled largely by Woodburn’s direct, unfiltered personality.
What was Kim Woodburn famous for?
Her fame rested on a simple premise: she was the queen of clean, and she was not afraid to say what she thought. Catchphrases like “Where there’s muck, there’s brass” became part of the British lexicon. Her success was a testament to the power of authenticity—audiences responded to someone who seemed utterly unpretentious.
Who was Kim Woodburn’s co-star on How Clean Is Your House?
Her co-star was Aggie MacKenzie, a microbiologist who brought scientific rigor to the show. The pairing of Woodburn’s practical, hands-on approach with MacKenzie’s clinical analysis created a dynamic that viewers found both educational and entertaining. They worked together for the entire run of the show.
Kim Woodburn landed her first television role at the age of 60. Before that, she had worked as a cleaner, earning around £1,000 a month. Her story is a powerful example of how life can change dramatically at any stage.
Was Kim Woodburn on Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity?
Yes, she appeared in the 2017 series of Celebrity Big Brother and was known for her confrontational style. Her time in the house was marked by memorable arguments and a refusal to back down, which made her a divisive but compelling figure. She also appeared on the 2009 series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
Did Kim Woodburn appear on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!?
Her appearance on the 2009 series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! was another chapter in her reality TV career. While she did not win the show, her participation reinforced her status as a no-nonsense personality who was willing to take on any challenge.
Woodburn’s appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! helped introduce her to a new generation of viewers who had not seen her original cleaning show.
Who Was Kim Woodburn’s Husband?
Her husband was Peter Woodburn. Sources indicate he survived her and was “heartbroken” at her death. He is reported to have posted a tribute on her official Instagram account. A few details in the search results conflict on chronology and biographical specifics; some sources say she married Peter in 1979, while others list 1967. The more detailed obituary-style sources note she is survived by Peter but do not fully resolve the marriage-date discrepancy.
What was Kim Woodburn like when she was young?
Born in 1942 in Eastney, Hampshire, Kim had a difficult early life. She worked as a cleaner and endured hardship before rising to fame at age 60. Her early life was marked by hard work and resilience, qualities that later defined her television persona.
Did Kim Woodburn write a book?
Yes, Kim Woodburn authored several books, including How Clean is Your House? and a memoir. These books provided fans with a deeper look into her life and her philosophy on cleaning.
Kim Woodburn’s Life in Focus
- 1942 – Born in Eastney, Hampshire, England.
- 2003 – Became a household name as co-host of How Clean Is Your House?
- 2011 – Married her long-term partner, Peter Woodburn.
- 2015 – Entered the Celebrity Big Brother house.
- 2017 – Returned to the public eye via ITV’s This Morning and Loose Women.
- 16 June 2025 – Died at the age of 83 after a short illness.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Cause of death confirmed as ‘short illness’ by family and multiple news sources. | The specific nature of the illness has not been publicly detailed. |
| Date of death confirmed as 16 June 2025. | None. |
| TV career confirmed on BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. | None. |
The Unlikely Legacy of a Late-Blooming TV Star
Kim Woodburn represents a unique figure in British pop culture. She achieved superstardom in her 60s, an age where most TV personalities are winding down. Her success on How Clean Is Your House? capitalized on a no-nonsense, working-class persona, which later became a cult hit on reality shows like Celebrity Big Brother. Her death marks the end of an era for a generation that grew up watching her harsh but hilarious cleaning methods.
While Kim Woodburn has passed, her legacy as a brutally honest, iconic TV cleaner will live on. Fans are revisiting classic episodes of How Clean Is Your House?, and her outspoken moments on Celebrity Big Brother are being widely shared on social media. Her husband Peter and extended family have requested privacy.
Quotes and Sources
Patricia Mary ‘Kim’ Woodburn (née McKenzie; 25 March 1942 – 16 June 2025) was an English television personality, writer, and expert cleaner.
Kim Woodburn, who has died aged 83, found fame in an unlikely way. She had just turned 60 and was earning £1,000 a month as a cleaner.
Kim Woodburn, who has died at the age of 83, found fame relatively late in life alongside co-star Aggie McKenzie in Channel 4 show How Clean is Your House.
Summary: A Life Well Lived
Kim Woodburn’s life was a testament to the power of late bloomers. She showed that it is never too late to find your calling and become a star. For a deeper look at another British TV legend, read our profile on Bob Monkhouse – Biography, Net Worth, Cause of Death. You can also explore the life of another iconic presenter in Floella Benjamin – Biography, Career, and Lasting Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Kim Woodburn write a book?
Yes, Kim Woodburn authored several books, including How Clean is Your House? and a memoir.
What was Kim Woodburn like when she was young?
Born in 1942, Kim had a difficult early life. She worked as a cleaner and endured hardship before rising to fame at age 60.
Was Kim Woodburn on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!?
Yes, she participated in the show, though she is most famous for her time on Celebrity Big Brother.
How old was Kim Woodburn when she died?
She was 83 years old.
Who was Kim Woodburn’s husband?
Her husband was Peter Woodburn, who survived her.
What was Kim Woodburn’s full name?
Her full name was Patricia Mary Woodburn, née McKenzie.
When did Kim Woodburn die?
She died on 16 June 2025.
What was Kim Woodburn famous for?
She was best known as the co-host of How Clean Is Your House? and for her appearances on Celebrity Big Brother.
Who was Kim Woodburn’s co-star on How Clean Is Your House?
Her co-star was Aggie MacKenzie.
Did Kim Woodburn have any children?
Publicly available information does not indicate that she had children.
Oliver Reeves leads fact-checking and editorial standards at BritView.uk.