MANY would be forgiven for thinking Josie Cunningham is a former reality star.
But in actuality, the controversial personality has built a name for herself without entering a closely monitored house or inviting cameras into her own home.
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She recently rebranded herself as her own version 2.0 and was formerly regarded as “the most hated woman in Britain”.
But exactly who is Josie Cunningham? Here is everything you need to know about the controversial star.
Who is Josie Cunningham?
Josie Louise Cunninghamwas born in Leeds in 1990.
Her mother is shop worker Lisa Cunningham, who has said she will always stand by her controversial daughter despite her being branded “the most hated woman in Britain”.
Lisa thinks Josie’s controversial outbursts are a desperate bid to secure fame, reasoning that Josie thinks “notoriety will make her happy,” but confessed to The Mirror she thinks her daughter is “famous for all the wrong reasons”.
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Why was Josie Cunningham’s breast surgery so controversial?
Josie Cunningham first came to attention in 2013 when she underwent a breast enlargement believed to have cost £4,800.
The procedure had been carried out by the NHS – with Josie arguing years of being bullied for her naturally smaller breasts should leave her entitled to boosting them from a 32A to 32DD using taxpayers money.
However she later confessed she really went under the knife so she could pursue a career as a glamour model.
Josie with no tan & B4 any cosmetic surgery. Completely natural. Constant bullying made her believe she was ugly..... pic.twitter.com/2Sw5XGIIQj
— Rob Cooper (@RobCooperPR) May 16, 2015
What did Josie Cunningham look like before surgery?
Josie's publicist, Rob Cooper, posted a throwback image in May 2015 which he says was taken before she had undergone any procedures.
"Josie with no tan & B4 any cosmetic surgery. Completely natural," he wrote on Twitter.
Backing up her claims of bullying, he also wrote: "Constant bullying made her believe she was ugly."
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Why was Josie Cunningham’s approach to abortions so controversial?
In 2014, Josie shocked the nation when she declared she wanted an abortion so she would be able to enter Big Brother.
The controversial star told The Mirror: “I’m finally on the verge of becoming famous and I’m not going to ruin it now.
“An abortion will further my career. This time next year I won’t have a baby. Instead, I’ll be famous, driving a bright pink Range Rover and buying a big house. Nothing will get in my way.”
She ultimately decided not to go through with the abortion after feeling her unborn child kicking – cancelling her plans while en-route to the abortion clinic.
However further controversy followed when she admitted she would keep smoking throughout the pregnancy as she believed she was carrying a boy.
Her rationale was the she wanted a girl after already having two boys (sons Frankie and Harley) and would have quit the cigarettes if she was having a girl.
After giving birth in 2014, it turned out Josie had been carrying a girl all along – she named her Grace.
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Why did Josie Cunningham try to sell tickets to her third child’s birth?
In 2014 – as Josie prepared to welcome her first daughter – she attempted to sell four tickets to her labour.
Reportedly the star claimed to sell two tickets for £5,000 – while another two sold for £10,000.
However plans to share her birthing with ticketholders fell through when she gave birth nine days ahead of schedule.
What else was controversial about Josie Cunningham’s third preganancy?
Josie believed the father of her third child was the Hull City footballer Curtis Davies.
However Josie, it transpired, had been conned for 18 months and the man she thought was a football captain wasn’t who he said he was at all.
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Why was Josie Cunningham banned from social media?
In late 2014 Josie announced her engagement to convicted woman beater Andrew Goy following eight weeks of dating.
The two split in early 2015 – however Josie was accused of sharing intimate photographs of Andrew on Twitter in a “revenge porn” attack.
She was found not guilty but had been forced to leave social media while the court case was in process – but announced her return to Twitter in September 2015 writing: “NOT guilty! My Twitter selebalsy over yippee!!! #start a. Fresh”
When did Josie Cunningham have an abortion in favour of a nose job?
In 2015 Josie caused public outrage when she aborted her fourth child in favour of having a nose job.
The aspiring porn actress terminated the birth at 12 weeks but remained adamant she had made the right choice for herself after doctors refused to perform a nose job on her while pregnant.
“I’m having this nose job no matter what gets in my way. Pregnancy was a major obstacle and an abortion was the answer to it – so that’s what I did,” she told the Sunday People.
“Anyone who criticises me for putting my looks ahead of an unborn child has no right until they’re the ones putting food on the table for my kids. I don’t care what anyone thinks. My body, my decision,” she added.
She was later turned down for the nose job she had the abortion for after doctors deemed her nose too badly damaged to be operated on.
When did Josie Cunningham have her fourth child and did she live-stream the birth?
Josie Cunningham welcomed her fourth child (and second daughter) in October 2016 – one year after aborting a previous child in favour of having a nose job.
She was due to live-stream the birthing on Periscope – but this had to be abandoned after she broke her phone by throwing it against a wall during a pained outburst.
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What happened between Josie Cunnigham and Jimmy Savile?
In January 2016, Josie claimed she had been abused by the late Jimmy Savile – Britain’s worst sexual offender found guilty of a string of sickening sexual assaults only after his death.
Josie claimed the former BBC presenter - who died in 2011 - tried to touch her boobs and “kiss her on the lips”.
She has reportedly never taken her account to the police and her assault claims have not been verified.
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What happened between Josie Cunningham and Ruth Langsford?
In March 2017, Josie enraged daytime TV host Ruth Langsford when she shamelessly flirted with her husband Eamon Holmes right before her eyes.
Josie was appearing on This Morning when Ruth and Eamon were hosting to discuss her latest money making tactic – whichsaw her flash her bare breasts in the hope of securing sugar daddies to buy her expensive gifts.
Discussing the process, she said:“I’ve three sugar daddies at the moment, the eldest is 65.I just get nice gifts in exchange for company, phone call conversations, I might take the 65-year-old the odd bit of bacon here and there.”
Eamonn, 57, interrupted as he tried to understand her logic, saying: “Wait a minute I’m nearly that age. If you bring me… if I give you a phone call, if I speak to you on the phone…”
But Josie stopped him mid-sentence as she replied: “Eamonn you can phone me any time” - with viewers noticing the icy glare Ruth shot at the guest.
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Has Josie Cunning ever appeared on Big Brother or Celebrity Big Brother?
Josie Cunningham has never appeared on Big Brother or Celebrity Big Brother.
In 2014 she sparked fury and outcry after suggesting she would have an abortion so she could enter the Big Brother house instead of having the child.
While she changed her mind over the abortion this time, she spark outcry again in 2015 when she DID have an abortion in favour of having a nose job.
Does Josie Cunningham use Instagram or Twitter?
Josie Cunningham can be found tweeting under the handle @JosieCOnline.
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FAQs
How did Josie Cunningham get famous? ›
Overnight fame after threatening an ABORTION to go on Big Brother. Wannabe celebrity Josie reached fame overnight in April 2014 - for ALL the wrong reasons, as she confessed the chance of appearing on TV's Big Brother was worth more than her unborn child's life.
How many kids has Josie Cunningham? ›Love her name too was it inspired from Twilight movies? x" To which Josie replied: "yasssss" with a heart emoji. Josie already has five other children called Grace, Harley, Frankie, Dolly-Blu and Destiny. She discovered she was pregnant with Renesmae Rose after she was rushed to hospital "vomiting and fainting".
What is Josie Cunningham doing now? ›She is now expecting a baby girl. Posting the happy news on her social media, Josie penned: "So it's come as a bit of a shock guys but I was recently admitted to hospital with vomiting and fainting and discovered I'm 4 months pregnant with a little princess."
Where does Josie Cunningham live now? ›Josie, who lives near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, explains, “I know people will judge, looking at me with my army of children, but I don't care. I'm not on benefits.
Who drummed on Josie? ›The drummer is Jim Keltner, whom critic Victor Aaron particularly praises for a fill that restarts the song near the end after a brief pause.
Where is Josie from Big Brother from? ›Daughter of Mandy Gibson, Josie is the eldest of three brothers and three sisters. She is originally from Bristol and attended Brimsham Green School in Yate. Gibson donated £20,000 of her winnings to CLIC Sargent when she left Big Brother.
How much weight has Josie lost? ›Back in 2012, The Express reported that she had lost six stone since her debut on the screen, going from a size 20 to a size eight in a matter of years.
What dress size is Josie? ›She explained: “I'm about a size 16 at the moment. I'd like to get down to a size 12.” One of Josie's motivators is her three-year-old son Reggie.
Who is Josie baby daddy? ›Josie is a mum to her three-year-old son Reggie James, whom she shares with her ex-partner Terry.
Where in Leeds does Josie Cunningham live? ›Now she has landed on her feet again in West Ardsley, a West Yorkshire village where three-bed semis are currently selling for around £340,000. While enjoying lower rents for her council home, Cunningham has already hired a gardener. Our source added: “It seems a bit odd for someone in a council house.
What high school was Josie filmed at? ›
Shot at Westlake High School, in Thousand Oaks, California, the video stars Alyssa Milano as the girl of Hoppus' affection.
What band was Josie in? ›Josie and the Pussycats (sometimes simply known as The Pussycats) are a fictional girl group rock band created by Dan DeCarlo.
Does Josie have a son? › Does Josie have a partner? ›Josie is neither married or currently in a relationship. She told Closer magazine that having her son changed her need to seek love and relationships.
Who does Josie sleep with? ›Their second sexual encounter happens at the end of the first series, where Josie and JP return to the house and start having sex. Kingsley realises he wants to be with Josie and heads back to the house to tell her, but he ends up walking in on Josie and JP. As a result, Kingsley moves out.
What size is Josie from This Morning? ›Josie admitted that working with WW has been the 'best decision she has ever made'. She continued: 'I was a 18, this morning I've just squeezed on a pair of size 14s.
Why did Josie step in for Holly? ›Josie Gibson has been drafted in to replace Holly Willoughby on This Morning after she tested positive for COVID. Willoughby, 41, was also forced to miss presenting the Dancing On Ice semi-final with Phillip Schofield after contracting coronavirus over the weekend.
What height is Josie Gibson? › What cup size is size 6? ›0 = AA <1 = A 1 = B 2 = C 3 = D 4 = DD 5 = DDD/E 6 = F 7 = G 8 = H.
How big is a size 6? ›| Bust | Waist | US size |
|---|---|---|
| 82-85 cm (32"-33.5") | 65-68 cm (25"-26.5") | 4 |
| 86-89 cm (33.5"-35") | 69-72 cm (26.5"-28") | 6 |
| 90-93 cm (35"-36.5") | 73-77 cm (28"-30") | 8 |
| 94-97 cm (36.5"-38") | 78-81 cm (30"-32") | 10 |
What celebrity is a size 6? ›
Jennifer Lopez
The 5'7" celebrity wears a size 6 and it was reported in the Daily Mail that she once fired a manager who told her to lose weight.
Before all of her glamourous TV appearances however, Josie, 37, was a local Bristol girl and went to Brimsham Green School in Yate. The now TV regular got her start on the screen when she featured on Channel 4's Big Brother in 2010.
What did Josie do Big Brother? ›Josie went on to win the series and re-entered the house as a contestant on Ultimate Big Brother only 18 minutes after leaving it, however, she walked off the show three days later.
Whose baby is in baby daddy? ›Danny and Riley eventually end up together in seasons 5. In the season 5 finale, it is revealed that Riley is pregnant after Danny and Riley become very serious. During Season 6, Danny and Riley get married, and have a son, Puck.
What is the oldest house in Leeds? ›Lamberts Yard - 1600
Widely regarded as the oldest building in Leeds city centre, Lambert's Yard dates back over 400 years. Easily missed by passers-by, it is found on Lower Briggate in the city centre and is relatively non-descript.
Baby Bates is here! Bringing Up Bates star Josie Bates, 21, and husband Kelton Balka welcomed their second child, daughter Hazel Sloane Balka,Bates announced on Instagram Tuesday. Bates and Balka are also parents to daughter Willow Kristy, 22 months.
Who did Josie Gibson have a son with? ›Presenter Josie shares son Reggie with ex-partner Terry. This Morning star Josie Gibson shares her four-year-old son Reggie with ex-partner Terry, and while on holiday in Mexico with his famous mum the little one had an accident that ended up in a hospital visit.
Why has Josie replaced Holly? ›With just hours to go until Dancing on Ice 's semi final on Sunday, a spokesperson for the ITV show confirmed that Holly had contracted Covid and, as a result, would miss the show.
How old was Josie Bates when she had her baby? ›We love you so much!” Us Weekly broke the news on Tuesday, June 15, that Josie, 21, and Balka, 25, had welcomed baby No.
How did Kelton and Josie meet? ›Josie met Kelton Balka in 2014 at a piano recital, although the two did not connect much. The following summer, they got to talking after a church service and become friends. Later that year, Josie ended their friendship, as she and her parents felt she was too young to be in a serious relationship.
Is Josie Bates married? ›
How many miscarriages did the Bates have? ›The couple suffered four miscarriages: Jewels, between 2007 and 2008, Jubilee, between 2007 and 2008, Zion, in March 2011, and Sunny, in August 2012.
Where does Josie live? ›After nine years in London, Josie, Charlie and their handsome miniature Dachshunds, Dexter and Dickens decided to make the big move to the picturesque Cotswolds.
What is Josie Gibsons accent? ›A Somerset actor became emotional while appearing on ITV's This Morning after listening to the presenter Josie Gibson's Bristolian accent. James Purefoy, 58, was brought to tears after hearing Josie speak with a Bristolian accent that says made him think of home.
Where did Josie Gibson start? ›Before all of her glamourous TV appearances however, Josie, 37, was a local Bristol girl and went to Brimsham Green School in Yate. The now TV regular got her start on the screen when she featured on Channel 4's Big Brother in 2010.
Who has replaced Holly on This Morning? ›During the chat, Schofe revealed that Alison and Dermot O'Leary will be taking over presenting duties next week.
Why was Holly not on This Morning today? ›Why is Holly not on This Morning? Holly Willoughby will not be hosting alongside Phillip Schofield as usual after testing positive for Covid-19. Phillip Schofield announced the news on Monday's episode of This Morning, saying, Where is Holly Willoughby?
Who are the children of Josie Balka? ›She is married to Kelton Balka, and they have two children, Willow and Hazel Balka.
Who is the youngest Bates daughter? ›| Name | Date of birth | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Willow Kristy | July 19, 2019 (2019-07-19) (age 3) |
| Baby Balka | August 25, 2020 | |
| 2 | Hazel Sloane | June 14, 2021 (2021-06-14) (age 1) |
Josie's wedding was featured in the Bringing Up Bates episode "A Bride, A Groom and a Love That's True!" which first aired on February 14, 2019.