Fresh out of the CBB house and presenting the BBC coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show, Angellica Bell talks royal encounters and why good pal Alan Carr is a ‘danger to her health’
Angellica Bell walked out of the Celebrity Big Brother house with her head held high and her heart full. The presenter, 49, has been gracing our screens with her sunny persona for 25 years, starting off on CBBC before taking her place on The One Show sofa and winning Celebrity MasterChef in 2017, and, most recently, she’s been presenting daytime coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
Viewers were saddened when she was dropped from The Martin Lewis Money Show in 2023 after six years – but Angellica says now is her time to shine, as she exclusively tells OK! what she learnt about herself in the CBB house, exciting projects on the horizon and her encounters with King Charles.
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Hi, Angellica! What’s the reaction been like since you left the Celebrity Big Brother house? It’s been really good. A lot of people have been like, “It was great to have you back on prime-time TV and see you mucking about and dancing and laughing.”
What doors have opened for you following CBB?
I’ve had some development meetings for some shows. Watch this space! It’s a really exciting moment for me. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I want to be a guest on panel shows. Before I might not have been at the forefront of people’s minds to do that, but now I am. Maybe I can bring that fun side. I want people to see that I can be a bit of a fool. I like having a laugh. My friends say I’m the life and soul of the party, cracking jokes. I love a one-liner and a bit of banter. A comedy panel show, that’d be so much fun. Whenever I see Judi Love, I cry with laughter. Same with Alan Carr. I’d love to do something with them.
You and Alan must have some fun times?
Oh, we do! Alan and I went to the cinema one time and he’s like, “We’re gonna leave before the lights go up” because he gets mobbed wherever he goes. We get up when it’s still dark, and he goes, “Come on, come on.” I fell over a foot rest and smashed my mouth. I had blood everywhere. Being his friend is a danger to my health!
Are you still in touch with all your new CBB pals?
Chesney Hawkes and I have been messaging, Danny Beard and I, too. I’ve been talking to Patsy Palmer, who’s back in LA now. I know Trisha Goddard from way back. Daley Thompson wants to train with me in summer. Michael Fabricant was lovely. He came up to me afterwards and said, “Thank you so much for giving me time.”
It had people from different backgrounds coming together. Mickey Rourke gave me his jumper. He probably learnt a lot from his experience in there. He told me so many incredible stories and asked questions about me and that shows he was interested in other people and learning. I did tell him a couple of times, “Oi, you can’t do that.” But he was open to that.
What did the show teach you?
That everyone has a place and a purpose. It gave me time to think about how I’ve been around for 25 years. You go on this treadmill of life. Danny said I should be proud. Sometimes I feel awkward saying that. The times I got emotional in the house were when people were complimenting me, I found that quite uncomfortable.
I came out of the house with different skills. Daley was training me. Telling me I was stronger than I think I am. That’s growth and personal development. I love that. I was doing handstands with JoJo Siwa. She taught me the jive and Charleston. I learnt you have to carve out time for yourself to have fun, laugh, do something different. It was transformational. I went in wanting a new start and I got it.
You mentioned your new dancing skills – could we see you on Strictly Come Dancing next?
After I came out, lots of people said you need to be doing Strictly because of your dancing. I wouldn’t mind it, maybe the Christmas special. I’d be petrified!
How was presenting the RHS Chelsea Flower Show?
Brilliant, we were giving take-home tips for people’s gardens. Outside spaces are great for mindfulness and the show gardens are amazing. So is the fashion. I wore a tea dress designed for me. It’s red with a rose pattern. The print is gorgeous.
Tell us about some of your celebrity spots there over the years…
I’ve met the King there! We bumped into each other. Then we crossed paths again and he said, “Are you following me?” He’s got a great sense of humour. It’s not the first time I’ve seen him. I did The Great British Village Show with Alan Titchmarsh and James Martin. The final was at Highgrove. Alan introduced me to the then Prince. He said, “I can tell you eat your vegetables, you’ve got amazing skin.” Camilla came afterwards, she said, “I watch you with my grandchildren.”
Wow, that must have been a career highlight! Anything else that sticks out for you?
Winning Celebrity MasterChef. I said no initially. I don’t like pressure. But I love cooking. That’s a lesson – you should push yourself out of your comfort zone. I had a cookbook on the back of it. It was an incredible experience. I’ve interviewed George Clooney and Oprah. It’s nuts. I’ve always been around, I’ve always worked. But there are peaks and troughs. Just be yourself and it usually works out.
Angellica presented the BBC’s coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Catch up on BBC iPlayer
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