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Nicola McLean

b. 1981

British model

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About Nicola McLean

Born 1981. Nicola McLean is a British model.

Nicola Mary McLean (born 18 September 1981) is an English glamour model, and television and media personality. She was a contestant in I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2008, and Celebrity Big Brother in 2012 and again in the show’s 19th series in 2017, which was an All-Star vs. New Star season. McLean returned as an All-Star and left the house on the final night in fifth place, beating her original season's position of seventh place.

Early life McLean's parents are Scottish: her father is from Keith and her mother is from Port Glasgow. She was born in London and has one sister. Before becoming a model, McLean was an Army cadet.

Modelling McLean modelled for Page 3 of The Sun between September 1999 and July 2004; and Page 3 of the Daily Star from 2000 until 2006. One of the UK's most successful glamour models, she appeared on Page 3 in The Sun and Daily Star almost every week for around five years - notching up almost 300 appearances in total.

In addition to Page 3, McLean also appeared on the covers of lads' mags including Zoo, Nuts, Front, loaded and Ice.

Television During her time as a glamour model, McLean often featured on tabloid showbiz gossip pages and latterly as a guest on television shows including The Weakest Link (Page 3 special), Richard & Judy, The Big Breakfast, Test The Nation (WAGs Special) and The Sexiest Girls In Britain.

McLean retired from modelling in 2006 after giving birth. She decided to return to modelling, TV work and acting in early 2008, after being asked to feature as a main subject in the Channel Five TV documentary Help! I've Got a High Maintenance Wife. and she has also appeared on more lads' mags covers. McLean was a contestant in the November 2008 edition of ITV reality TV show I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!. She clashed with fellow camp mate David Van Day during the series. On Day 18 McLean become the seventh celebrity to be eliminated and finished in sixth place.

On 22 November 2008, McLean was chosen by lingerie brand Ultimo to model.

On 5 January 2012, McLean became a housemate on Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother. She clashed with cast member Denise Welch in a now-infamous row dubbed Pantsgate by the press and viewers and controversially shredded her fellow housemates' letters from home in order to gain her own, shouting "Shred Shred Shred!" as she did so. She was nominated on Day 7 of the series, but survived this eviction on Day 9. She was nominated again on Day 14, but survived this eviction on Day 16. McLean was the sixth housemate to be evicted, on Day 21 of the series, finishing in seventh place overall.

After her popular and controversial stint in Celebrity Big Brother, McLean become a regular fixture on the side show Big Brother's Bit on the Side and in the episode aired on 18 September 2015, had a significant row with reality television star Farrah Abraham.

McLean entered the Celebrity Big Brother house for the second time in January 2017 as an All Star housemate. She was nominated for eviction on Day 20 of the series, but survived this eviction on Day 22. On Day 25, she was nominated for eviction but survived this eviction once again on Day 27. On Day 29, after surviving the final public vote of the series, McLean become one of the show's finalists. During the final on Day 32, McLean finished in fifth place. She returned for Big Brother 18 as a special guest during a shopping task, along with fellow ex-celebrity housemates Marnie Simpson and Gemma Collins. The trio stayed for three days before departing during a live show, during which Nicola gave immunity to Raph Korine. McLean stayed in the Big Brother house for a total of 56 days, one of the longest tenures of any celebrity in the show's history.

Since 2018 she has been a regular panelist on Jeremy Vine on Channel 5.

Charity work McLean is a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. In May 2009, she was spotted at a protest in London holding a sign that read "Unhappy Birthday Selfridges! Drop Cruel Foie Gras".

Personal life McLean married footballer Tom Williams on 13 June 2009. The couple have two sons, Rocky and Striker Williams.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Nicola June McLean

Family & relationships

Spouse
Tom Williams (footballer, born 1980)

People in Nicola McLean's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Nicola McLean's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nicola McLean?

British model

When was Nicola McLean born?

Nicola McLean was born on 16 September 1981 in London.

What is Nicola McLean's occupation?

Nicola McLean is a model.

What nationality is Nicola McLean?

Nicola McLean is British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Nicola McLean

· Wikidata: Q7029075

· DBpedia: Nicola McLean

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Nicola McLean. https://biography.guide/nicola-mclean-model/

MLA: "Nicola McLean." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/nicola-mclean-model/.

Chicago: "Nicola McLean." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/nicola-mclean-model/.

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