JOSIE Gibson is the poster girl for turning 15 minutes of fame into a long-lasting TV career. Her secret? She couldn’t care less.
It’s been 16 years since Josie, 41, won Big Brother and – while a lot of reality stars are lucky if they get a year of sipping on lukewarm Prosecco at events while desperately trying to be noticed – the loveable Bristol girl has worked her way into national treasure territory.
Everybody really does love Josie, and it’s easy to see why.
Even after landing one of the biggest jobs on telly, presenting ITV’s flagship daytime show This Morning, she’s never forgotten her West Country roots.
Known to locals as someone who always has time for a chinwag, The Sun can reveal Josie, while immensely proud and grateful for the opportunities that have come her way, has made it clear that if it all ended tomorrow, it wouldn’t faze her in the slightest.
Josie will sing it from the rooftops: she wants to settle down with a nice man.
Insider
One thing Josie dreams of is something money or fame can’t buy: true love.
The Sun recently revealed snaps of Josie looking very cosy with ‘the world’s hottest farrier’ Sam Wolfenden.
Like Josie, despite his social media fame and adoration over his appearance, the West Yorkshire lad clearly prefers a laid-back lifestyle.
But it wasn’t meant to be, as we later told how Sam is actually engaged to childhood sweetheart Grace Richardson.
One neighbour told us: “Josie’s a funny one. Everyone around here always asks her why she stayed put when she could have the life most of us can only dream of.
“But she laughs it off and always says this is the life she dreams of.
“It’s rare to come across someone so famous who you can genuinely tell doesn’t care about all of that.”
And we’re told Josie has suggested to locals that TV work isn’t in her long-term future plans – with her craving a simple life in the country.
News of Sam’s engagement is another blow for unlucky-in-love presenter, who shares son Reggie, seven, with ex Terry Bond.
She has a reputation for being a hopeless romantic and doesn’t shy away when asked by her neighbours about her private life.
Our insider adds: “Josie will sing it from the rooftops: she wants to settle down with a nice man and give her son a stable family life.
“You can tell from the way she talks she’s been burned in the past, but she’s still optimistic – she is someone who loves being in love and often gives relationship advice to those going through it.”
Caravan life
Last year, Josie revealed she’s living in a caravan while she renovates her £1million Somerset home.
The project will be documented on her new ITV series, Josie Gibson’s Big Country Build.
As part of the show, she has teamed up with her brothers, Charlie and Josh, as well as her cousin Tom and a team of locals to create her dream property.
But, despite the ambitious project, those close to Josie know she’s far from flash and say money and material things mean very little to her.
An insider adds: “Josie would happily live in a caravan forever – she doesn’t need a mansion or expensive things to be happy.
“She’s working towards the life she’s always dreamed of: a home filled with love and a man she can truly rely on. For Josie, everything else is just a bonus.”
And what a bonus to have in life, as Josie is said to have earned herself a cool £1million since her time in the Big Brother house.
She was crowned the winner of the final civilian series to be broadcast on Channel 4 and walked straight into Ultimate Big Brother – but quit just three days later.
Josie would happily live in a caravan forever.
Insider
At the time Josie confessed she felt “trapped” and found the pressure in the house, which was also occupied by the likes of Chantelle Houghton and the late Nikki Grahame, “too intense”.
She said: “They’re all really nice people don’t get me wrong. I’m normal, I’m not a celebrity, I couldn’t handle it”
Josie soon bounced back from that, landing a gig as a panelist on Loose Women before getting her first job on This Morning in 2019.
And she’s taken part in her fair share of reality shows, having appeared on The Jump, Cooking With The Stars, I’m a Celebrity and The Masked Singer.
The latest project which will see Josie transform her home is a seven-part series set to air on ITV later this year.
During a recent appearance on GMB, she she joked that the extensive renovations had left her “skint”.
Josie said this morning: “I’ve actually roped the family in. They say never to work with family or animals, and I’ve done just that. To say my stress levels are up here…
“They are great, they are amazing, but there are a lot of challenges, let’s say.”
She added: “I’ve had a lot of sleepless nights.”
But, while her career would suggest Josie is someone who cares about being relevant, those who know her best say she’s no fool.
A source told us: “Josie’s spent the last 10 years working her socks off to secure a future for her and Reggie.
“Fame might not be something she loves but she’s not silly enough to turn the money down!”
