Television legend Kim Woodburn, affectionately known as the “Queen of Clean”, has passed away at the age 83 following a short illness, according to representative and her family. A bold, charismatic figure who rose to fame cleaning Britain’s dirtiest homes, she leaves behind a legacy built on candour, wit, and an unflinching love of tidiness.
Born Patricia Mary McKenzie on March 25, 1942, in Eastney, Hampshire, Woodburn began her career sweeping floors and cleaning homes at just 16 a journey that would eventually lead her to global fame. She rebranded herself as Kim Woodburn and landed her defining role as co-host of How Clean Is Your House? alongside fellow cleaning expert Aggie MacKenzie. The Channel 4 series, which premiered in 2003, attracted around 4 million viewers per episode, rivaling the popularity of Big Brother.
Woodburn’s on-screen persona was fearless and unfiltered. She didn’t hesitate to criticize unsanitary living situations, famously inspecting newspaper and declaring an office “sheer laziness” during a feature on The Guardian’s workspace. After the show ended in 2009, she became a reality TV fixture: placing second on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (2009), appearing frequently on Loose Women, and finishing third on Celebrity Big Brother (2017).
her autobiographical reveal in Unbeaten (2006) detailing a stillborn son and tumultuous childhood sparked international attention and even a police inquiry, cementing her reputation for speaking truthfully, no matter how uncomfortable.
Following a brief illness, Woodburn passed away on June 16, 2025, at her home in Cheshire in the care of her husband, Peter, and close friends. Her family described her in words Facebook and LinkedIn posts captured: “an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person.” Peter was “heartbroken at the loss of his soulmate,” and the family has requested privacy during their grieving.
Aphura summarized the collective shock : “Reality TV star Kim Woodburn, known for How Clean Is Your House, passed away at 83”.
