Kelly Brook

Kelly Ann Parsons (born 23 November 1979),[1] known professionally as Kelly Brook, is an English model, actress, and media personality. She is known for her modelling work in the UK, and in the US for her role on the NBC sitcom One Big Happy (2015). Brook has appeared in various British television shows, including Strictly Come Dancing (2007), Britain's Got Talent (2009), Celebrity Juice (2012–2013), It's Not Me, It's You (2016), Loose Women (2018), and The Great British Bake Off (2020).

Not to be confused with Kelly LeBrock.

Kelly Brook
Brook in 2015
Born
Kelly Ann Parsons

(1979-11-23) 23 November 1979
Rochester, Kent, England
Alma materItalia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts
Occupation
  • Model
  • actress
  • media personality
Years active1997–present
Modelling information
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Hair colourBrown
Eye colorBrown
Websitekellybrook.com

Brook is regarded as a sex symbol and style icon. She was crowned FHM's Sexiest Woman in the World in 2005[2] and as of 2015 had appeared in every FHM 100 Sexiest countdown since 1998.[3] In September 2014, Brook released her autobiography book, Close up, which reached the Sunday Times Bestseller list. She has also appeared in films such as Absolon (2003), Fishtales (2007), Piranha 3D (2010), Keith Lemon: The Film (2012), and Taking Stock (2015).

Brook currently co-presents the Heart London drive show with Jason King.[4] She also co-presents the National Heart radio show on the Feel Good Weekend show on Saturdays from 9am–12pm.

Early life

Brook was born Kelly Ann Parsons in Rochester, Kent, the daughter of Sandra Kelly, a cook, and Kenneth Parsons, a scaffolder.[5] She has a younger brother, Damian, and an older half-sister, Sasha.[6] Kenneth Parsons died, aged 57, in Rochester from lung cancer,[7] on 26 November 2007, during Brook's time on Strictly Come Dancing.[8] Brook attended the Thomas Aveling School in Warren Wood, Rochester. In 1996 at the age of seventeen she appeared in the second series of "Fist of Fun", the BBC comedy show from Stewart Lee and Richard Herring as a schoolgirl in a series of sketches entitled 'Teachers' (one of her co-stars was the young Daniel Mays). She studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London for three years during this time before becoming a professional model at the age of 16.[9]

Modelling
Brook in a campaign for the LG Optimus One mobile phone in 2010

Brook's modelling career began at 16 after she won a beauty competition, into which she had been entered by her mother.[6] She later worked on a range of advertising campaigns, including Foster's Lager, Renault Mégane, Walker's crisps, Piz Buin and Bravissimo, a company that specialises in bras and lingerie for large-breasted women. Her figure eventually caught the eye of the editorial team of the Daily Star tabloid,[9] which began featuring her as a Page Three girl.

Brook's picture soon began appearing in other lads' mags such as GQ, Loaded and FHM. A poll over 5,000 women for Grazia magazine considered her to have the best British female body. She also topped the 'FHM 100 Sexiest Women in the World' list in 2005, which was said to have polled 15 million people. Appearing in this list every year since 1998, she ranked No.34 in 2008, No.67 in 2009 and No.7 in 2010.[10] She was the cover star of FHM's World Cup 2010 special issue,[11] and was on the cover of the magazine in April 2011.[10]

In February 2007, it was announced that Brook had signed a contract, reported to be worth around £1m, to represent Unilever's Lynx body spray, known as "Axe" in the US and in continental Europe.[12] She has appeared on billboards, in newspapers and on-line as part of their advertising campaign.[13] She has also appeared in commercials for Sky+ and T-Mobile and modelled for Reebok.

In 2010, she was chosen as the "new face and body" of lingerie maker Ultimo's advertising campaign.[14] In September 2010, Brook appeared in the American edition of Playboy magazine.[15] In October 2010, Brook appeared live at Clapham Picture House to surprise cinemagoers as part of a promotion for Carlsberg and Sky 3D.[16] In November 2010, Brook presented an award at MTV's EMA's in Madrid.[17]

Brook produced a line of swimwear with New Look, for which she herself has modelled. In September 2014, Brook launched a clothing line for Simply Be.[18] The following year, she became a brand ambassador for Skechers.[19]

Television career

Music videos

In 1997, at age 17, Brook appeared as a nurse in the music video for the KMFDM song Megalomaniac.[20] That same year, Brook appeared in a Pulp video "Help the Aged" with Huck Whitney of the band the Flaming Stars, in a slow dance sequence.[21]

Presenter

In 1997, aged 18, Brook started presenting youth television programmes on MTV, Granada Television and the Trouble TV channel.[9] Brook had a breakthrough into mainstream presenting in January 1999, when she was chosen to replace Denise van Outen as the female half of The Big Breakfast hosting team, alongside Johnny Vaughan. She left the show in July 1999.[22] In 2005, she hosted the reality television programme Celebrity Love Island for ITV.

Reality television

In 2007, Brook participated in the celebrity dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing on BBC1, with dance partner was Brendan Cole. During the TV series, her father Kenneth Parsons died from cancer,[8] and although she initially decided to continue dancing in his memory, she withdrew from the competition in week nine.[23]

Brook at the January 2009 London Boat Show

She also competed in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special 2008, dancing the Jive with Brian Fortuna, Brendan Cole having to compete with his later partner Lisa Snowdon. Brook and Fortuna were put into fourth place, but with the studio audience's vote they came second to Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett. In 2008, Brook took Jennifer Ellison's place as one of the three judges on the second series of the reality TV programme Dirty Dancing: The Time of Your Life,[24] broadcast between September and November 2008.

In January 2009, she joined the third series of Britain's Got Talent as a fourth judge, but was subsequently axed from the programme after less than a week on the panel, the producers having decided the four-judge format was "too complicated".[25] Brook was billed as a guest judge in the episode in which she appeared, taped in Manchester and aired on 16 May.

In 2013, Brook became a temporary team captain on Celebrity Juice aired on ITV2. She appeared in Season 9, replacing Fearne Cotton while she was on maternity leave. In 2016, Brook served as a team captain on the Channel 5 panel show It's Not Me, It's You.

Acting

Brook made her full screen debut with a minor role in the film Sorted. Shortly thereafter, she appeared in the film Ripper. She played the girlfriend of Clark Kent/Superman's nemesis Lex Luthor in four episodes of the American science fiction drama Smallville during the show's first season (2001–02). She has also completed assignments as a film actress in Canada and made a short appearance as Lyle's girlfriend in the 2003 film The Italian Job.

Her first starring role was in the 2004 film School for Seduction, for which she received positive reviews for her role.[26] In 2004, she played character Nikki Morris in the video game Need for Speed Underground 2, alongside Brooke Burke. In 2005, she appeared in the Philippe Vidal thriller House of 9, and starred opposite Billy Zane in the film Survival Island.

In 2006, she starred in an Agatha Christie's Marple drama on ITV and appeared as herself throughout the second series of Moving Wallpaper, also for ITV, in 2009. She acted in the science fiction thriller Shadow Play, directed by Nick Simon.[27]

Brook had a leading role in the horror comedy remake Piranha 3D. The film received a worldwide theatrical release on 20 August 2010. Piranha 3D opened to generally positive reviews[28] and commercial success, grossing $83,188,163 on a budget of $24,000,000.[29]

Kelly also played as herself in the 2012 British comedy film Keith Lemon: The Film. In 2013 Brook appeared in the video to Lawson's song "Juliet". In 2014 she was cast as Prudence in an NBC sitcom pilot called One Big Happy,[30] which was subsequently picked up on 9 May.[31][32]

Theatrical work

In December 2000, she played exotic dancer Anya in the play "Eye Contact" at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith.[33][34] In October 2008, she returned to the West End as Jeannie, in Neil LaBute's Fat Pig at London's Comedy Theatre.[33][34]

In November 2009, she began playing Celia in Calendar Girls at the Noël Coward Theatre.

Brook made a cameo appearance in the cabaret show "Forever Crazy" by Crazy Horse London end of 2012.[35]

Other work

In September 2014, Brook released her autobiography.[36] which reached the Sunday Times Bestseller list on 21 September.[37] Domestic-violence groups and others criticised her during her promotional tour for laughing about punching two ex-boyfriends in the face.[38]

At end of 2013 Brook opened her bar Steam and Rye in London.[39] In June 2014 Steam and Rye won Bar of the Year at the London Club and Bar Awards.[40]

Since January 2019, Brook has co-presented Heart London Drivetime and Saturday Breakfast with Jason King.[4]

Personal life

Brook met American actor Billy Zane while filming thriller Survival Island in Eleuthera, Bahamas in 2004.[41] Brook and Zane were engaged to be married in mid-2008 and acquired a house in Kent, but Brook postponed the wedding upon the death of her father in November 2007. The couple ended their relationship in April 2008 and briefly reconciled before ending their relationship in August 2008.[41][42][43]

Brook was romantically linked with rugby player Thom Evans.[44] On 16 March 2011, Brook announced, via her Twitter account, that she was pregnant and that she and Evans were expecting a baby girl. On 9 May 2011, it was reported that Brook had miscarried.[45] She announced on 1 February 2013 via Twitter that she and Evans had broken up.

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2000SortedSarah
2001RipperMarisa Tavares
2003AbsolonClaire
2003The Italian JobLyle's Girlfriend
2004School for SeductionSophia Rosselini
2005House of 9Lea
2005Deuce Bigalow: European GigoloBeautiful Woman in Painting
2005Survival IslandJennifer
2006In the MoodEvaShort film
2007FishtalesNeried
2010Piranha 3DDanni Arslow
2010RemovalKirby
2012Keith Lemon: The FilmHerself
2015Taking StockKateWon 4 awards at the Monaco International Film Festival
2018SantetLaura
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1996Fist of FunSuzanne2 episodes
1999The Big BreakfastHerselfCo-presenter
2001The (Mis)Adventures of Fiona PlumFiona PlumUnaired pilot[46]
2002SmallvilleVictoria Hardwick4 episodes
2005Romy and Michele: In the BeginningLinda FashiobellaTelevision film
2006Agatha Christie's MarpleElsie HollandThe Moving Finger
2007Hotel BabylonLady Catherine Stanwood1 episode
2007Strictly Come DancingContestantSixth place
2009Moving WallpaperKelly BrookFictional version of herself
2009Renaissance–Pilot in Moving Wallpaper[47]
2009Britain's Got TalentJudgeGuest judge
2011SkinsJemima1 episode
2012–2013, 2015Celebrity JuiceHerself
2012Lemon la Vida LocaHerself1 episode
2012Métal Hurlant ChroniclesSkarr, Jen2 episodes
2013NTSF:SD:SUV::Anna1 episode
2013TrolliedHerself1 episode
2015One Big HappyPrudenceMain role
2015Taking StockKate
2016It's Not Me, It's YouHerselfTeam Captain
2018Loose WomenRegular panellist
2018–Dance FitCo-host
2020The Great Stand Up to Cancer Bake OffContestant
gollark: WRONG apioform.
gollark: Thus, wrong.
gollark: You're wrong and you should actually implement the language before tutorialing it.
gollark: You're wrong.
gollark: ł

References
  1. "Kelly Brook". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  2. "Kelly is world's sexiest". Manchester Evening News. 30 June 2005.
  3. "Kelly Brook And FHM: A Ridiculously Sexy Retrospective". FHM. 10 December 2015.
  4. "Heart". Heart. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  5. "Grieving Kelly Brook vows to dance on after father dies of cancer". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. Elizabeth Day (1 November 2009). "Kelly Brook profile". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  7. Grieving Strictly star Kelly Brook attends father's funeral, thisislondon.co.uk; accessed 31 January 2016.
  8. "Grieving Brook to keep on dancing". BBC News. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  9. "Official Kelly Brook site biography page". Officialkellybrook.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  10. "Kelly Brook — Kent's finest bra model" Archived 13 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine Kelly Brook at FHM.com
  11. "Kelly Brook in South Africa! FHM article". Fhm.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  12. "Kelly Brook lands £1m Lynx deal". nowmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
  13. "Lynx 6-sheet Kelly Brook ad". UTalkMarketing.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2008. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  14. “Kelly Brook models Ultimo lingerie spring collection”. London Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 June 2020
  15. "Kelly goes naked Sky Showbiz, 04/06/10". Showbiz.sky.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  16. "VIDEO: Kelly Brook pays surprise visit to Clapham Picture House, in Venn Street". London Evening Standard. UK. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  17. "We Announce More Superstar Presenters!" Archived 8 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine, ema.mtv.co.uk; accessed 31 January 2017.
  18. "for Simply Be — Blog". Kelly Brook. 4 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 March 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  19. "Kelly is the new face of Skechers!". Kelly Brook official blog. 22 July 2014. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  20. Longmire, Becca (6 September 2016). "Kelly Brook writhes around in boob-baring nurses outfit in seriously steamy throwback clip". Daily Express. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  21. "Pulp – Help The Aged". YouTube. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  22. "Entertainment Kelly quits Big Breakfast". 30 July 1999.
  23. "Brook quits Strictly Come Dancing". BBC News. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 8 April 2008.
  24. Kelly Brook searches for Baby Archived 18 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine, Virgin Media, 15 May 2008
  25. Dickinson, Matt (20 January 2009). "Kelly Brook axed from Britain's Got Talent". The Independent. UK. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  26. "School for Seduction review". Filmcritic.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  27. "AFM: Twilight Dad Engages in Some Shadow Play". Dreadcentral.com. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  28. "Piranha 3-D". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  29. "Piranha 3D (2010)". Box Office Mojo. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  30. Andreeva, Nellie (28 March 2014). "Kelly Brook To Star In NBC comedy pilot 'One Big Happy'". Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  31. Goldberg, Lesley (9 May 2014). "NBC Orders Ellen DeGeneres' 'One Big Happy,' Will Ferrell Comedies 'Mission Control,' 'Bad Judge' to Series". Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  32. Andreeva, Nellie (9 May 2014). "NBC Picks Up Comedies 'Bad Judge', 'Mission Control' and 'One Big Happy'". Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  33. "Kelly Brook to bare all on stage". BBC News. 6 October 2009. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  34. Mark Shenton. "Kelly Brook to Make West End Stage Debut". Playbill. Archived from the original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  35. Matt Trueman. "Kelly Brook strips off for Crazy Horse cabaret | Culture". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  36. "The Autobiography by Kelly Brook – Blog". Kelly Brook. 1 August 2014. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  37. "Culture". www.thesundaytimes.co.uk.
  38. "Rochester-born model Kelly Brook provokes outrage by laughing about punching ex-lovers Jason Statham and Danny Cipriani on ITV show This Morning". Kentonline.co.uk. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  39. "You are being redirected". Steamandrye.com. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  40. bar team (3 June 2014). "Bar news | Steam & Rye among London Club & Bar Awards winners". Barmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  41. "In-Zane: Kelly Brook dumps Billy Zane". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  42. Pete Norman (23 April 2008). "Titanic's Billy Zane Splits From Fiancée". People magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
  43. Day, Elizabeth (1 November 2009). "Kelly Brook". The Guardian. UK. Retrieved 2 November 2009.
  44. "Kelly Brook and new man Thom Evans spotted getting up close and personal". Metro. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  45. "Kelly Brook, Thom Evans lose baby". 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  46. "Kelly Brook Meets Superman". BBC News. 21 November 2001.
  47. Parker, Robin (25 March 2009). "Moving Wallpaper takes zombie show to itv.com". Broadcastnow. Emap Media. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
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