As Kelly Brook embraces jungle life on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, a PR professional who once worked with the star has shared an exclusive insight that completely transformed her view of the model and presenter.
From Big Breakfast to Tabloid Favourite
PR expert Lynn Carratt recalls first seeing Kelly Brook in 1999, when the then-teenager co-hosted Channel 4's The Big Breakfast with Jonny Vaughan. "It was a baptism of fire," Carratt notes, reflecting on Brook's admission that she struggled with the intense pressure and spotlight at just 19 years old.
Brook's early career swiftly pivoted to red-carpet fame, cemented by iconic moments like wearing a Julien Macdonald dress to the 2000 premiere of Snatch with then-boyfriend Jason Statham. For years, her profile was defined by glamour and high-profile relationships, from actor Billy Zane to rugby player Thom Evans, until she found lasting stability with husband Jeremy Parisi, whom she met in 2015.
Her Hollywood endeavours, including roles in films like Piranha 3D and The Italian Job remake, demonstrated a resilience that often went underreported, Carratt observes.
The Dubai Revelation: Expecting a Diva, Meeting a Professional
The pivotal moment for Carratt came in 2012, while living and working in Dubai. Tasked with PR for the second birthday party of venue Mahiki, her team booked Brook as host. Initial communications raised eyebrows.
"While her fee was reasonable, the rider requests included three top suites at the luxurious Jumeirah Zabeel Saray hotel and an additional car for her four personal security guards," Carratt recounts. "In a city as safe as Dubai, I wondered what kind of diva we were bringing in."
The reality was starkly different. At the event, Brook was "warm, friendly, and funny," effortlessly engaging with the crowd. "She posed for every picture, chatted to guests, and even cut a very odd-looking birthday cake with absolute enthusiasm," says Carratt. "There wasn't a hint of the behaviour I'd anticipated. Meeting her properly genuinely shifted my whole perception."
Reinvention and Newfound Confidence
Now in her 40s, Carratt believes Brook has grown into a confidence that eluded her in her youth. She has successfully carved her own path beyond being a "lads' mag favourite" or a "girlfriend of."
Her stint co-hosting Heart radio's drivetime show with JK showcased a relatable and funny side, proving her capability in a new medium. More recently, she has embraced physical challenges, running the London Marathon at 45 and taking on Race Across the World with her husband.
Her current stint in the I'm A Celebrity jungle, a show she'd long said she'd never do, further demonstrates this spirit. Carratt notes Brook has mucked in with trials, bonded with campmates, and appears to be genuinely enjoying the experience, projecting a body-positive, confident image.
"Women like me want to see people like Kelly on TV," Carratt concludes. "A woman who owns her curves, embraces who she is, and doesn't pretend to be perfect. She's weathered the ups and downs of fame, reinvented herself, and come out the other side more likeable and impressive than ever."
