16 mmm
a ensured she was never short of assignments. Appearances on TV and the silver screen on both sides of the Atlantic increased, while in 2005 she topped the 100 Sexiest Women in the World list compiled by FHM, and the following year Grazia magazine readers named her owner of the best body in Britain. There was no stopping her. Since then she has starred in advertisements for the likes of T Mobile, Reebok and Lynx, while she also appeared in Playboy in 2010. She even has her own fashion deal with chain New Look, which sees her design her own range of outfits. Her TV career in the UK has, however, not been all smooth. Unveiled as the big name for the 2007 edition of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, she was forced to pull out after the death of her father. Ken died, aged just 57, from cancer. It was a devastating blow to Kelly, then 28. She returned to dance after his death but it was apparent the stress and strain were showing. By week nine she reluctantly made the decision to pull out of the show. Two years later, and to much fanfare, she was unveiled as the fourth judge on Britain's Got Talent – the latest Simon Cowell show looking to cash-in on the boom in reality TV show talent contests. But her stay was shortlived, apparently after falling out with presenters Ant & Dec. She left before the live shows. Her acting continues to deliver high profile roles however, with a role in ITV's latest take on Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Kelly was a key cast member in an episode of Marple which, coincidentally, saw much location work shot in Kent – at the picturesque village of Chilham near Canterbury. And in 2010 she had a lead role in big-screen hit Piranha 3D – which required her body to dazzle as much as her acting. The film proved a big money maker, quadrupling its budget at the box office. As for the future, Kelly Brook shows no sign of slowing. Her career continues to offer her opportunities in modelling, acting and TV work, while her reputation has never been higher. She's grown up an awful lot since that Medway beauty pageant, but at the age of just 32, she still has plenty to look forward to. Happy back in Kent, 2012 could just prove to be Kelly's best yet. Mmm