Former Big Brother star Chanelle Hayes has sent shockwaves through her fanbase by announcing a dramatic career change, leaving her nursing role to launch an exclusive OnlyFans page. The 38-year-old mother-of-two, who wed accountant Dan Bingham in 2024, has expressed private concerns that her new venture into adult content could place unwelcome strain on her marriage.
From NHS to NSFW: A Career Pivot
In a surprising move, Chanelle Hayes confirmed she is stepping away from her nursing career, for which she earned a First Class Honours degree in Adult Nursing, after just one year in the profession. She announced her new direction on Instagram, telling followers, "I think life is too short to not take a step just because it's controversial – so I stepped!" Her OnlyFans page, priced at $9.99 per month, promises subscribers "the fun, flirty, and downright naughty stuff I can't post anywhere else."
Sources close to the Wakefield-born star revealed that the decision was influenced by the immense pressure she felt in the NHS. "Nursing was a path she pursued out of a genuine desire to care for others, but over time she found herself increasingly frustrated by the lack of time she could spend with patients," an insider said. The emotional strain of not being able to provide the level of care she wanted, coupled with financial pressures, ultimately led to her departure.
Marriage Concerns Behind the Confidence
Despite her bold public persona, friends reveal that Chanelle harbours significant fears about how her OnlyFans career will affect her relationship with husband Dan. While she has stated publicly that he is "so supportive" of her decision, a source confided, "Chanelle is concerned that posing for sexy pictures will have an impact on her and Dan. Dan is supportive and just wants to see her happy, and while she's a strong-minded woman and this is what she wants, she is still desperate to ensure her relationship isn't affected."
This concern exists alongside her clear enthusiasm for the project. When asked about the explicitness of her content, Chanelle provocatively responded, "How explicit is your imagination?" accompanied by a devil emoji. She is also offering personalised requests and PPV (Pay-per-view) treats for her subscribers, in addition to maintaining an Amazon wishlist for gifts.
A Journey of Transformation and Newfound Confidence
This career shift marks the latest chapter in a long public journey for Chanelle Hayes. She first found fame at 19 years old on Big Brother in 2007, where her romance with fellow housemate Zach 'Ziggy' Lichman captivated viewers. After a brief and unsuccessful pop career, she became better known for her turbulent love life, which included relationships with Jade Goody's ex Jack Tweed and footballer Matthew Bates, the father of her 15-year-old son, Blakely.
Her personal life has also been marked by a significant health and weight-loss journey. After being diagnosed with osteoarthritis and reaching 17st 4lbs, she underwent gastric sleeve surgery in August 2020, losing a remarkable 9st and dropping from a size 22 to a size 8. Pals now hope that her return to modelling via OnlyFans will further boost the confidence she has found in her body.
"Doing OnlyFans is a no-brainer for her. Her body has never looked better and she feels really well," a friend said, adding that she was inspired by the confidence and financial success of other celebrities like Kerry Katona on the platform. Defending her multi-faceted business approach, which also includes travel and mentoring, Chanelle told her followers, "Plot twist: I'm building multiple income streams and I'm not apologising for it... If you're here to judge, cool. If you're here to build, let's go."
