Kim Woodburn, the “Queen of Clean,” dies aged 83 after short illness
Kim Woodburn, the larger-than-life TV personality best known as the “Queen of Clean” from How Clean Is Your House?, has died at the age of 83 following a brief illness. Her death was confirmed by her representatives on June 16, 2025.
Born Patricia Mary McKenzie on March 25, 1942, in Eastney, Hampshire, Kim overcame a traumatic childhood, marked by neglect and abuse, to reinvent herself as a household-cleaning expert. She rose to fame after joining Channel 4’s How Clean Is Your House? in 2003 alongside Aggie MacKenzie. Their chemistry and no-nonsense cleaning tips soon made the show a hit, propelling Kim to national fame.
After the show ended in 2009, Kim continued to captivate audiences on reality programs. She was runner-up in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (2009) and finished third in Celebrity Big Brother (2017), earning attention for both her candid truth-telling and witty remarks.
In recent months, Kim had withdrawn from public engagements due to health issues, including eye surgery, and informed her followers she would be taking time to “get better.” Her final public video message was shared on Valentine’s Day 2025.
Tributes have poured in from fans and fellow celebrities. A spokesperson described Kim as “an incredibly kind, caring, charismatic and strong person,” and said her husband, Peter Woodburn, her soulmate since their 1979 marriage, is “heartbroken” Her final public appearance, captured in a photo at drag queen The Vivienne’s funeral in January, showed her beloved by many.
Kim’s legacy extends far beyond her cleaning prowess. She was admired for her resilience, candid personality, and trailblazing role in reality television. Fans remember her catchphrase, “scrub, dear, don’t tickle,” and her signature braid, but also her ability to turn domestic chores into prime-time entertainment.
She leaves behind her husband Peter and a nation that cherished her authenticity and panache. Funeral and memorial details have not been disclosed, with the family requesting privacy at this time.
