Melinda Messenger rocketed to stardom in the Spring of 1997, and found widespread fame so quickly that the term 'overnight success' could have been invented for her. One day she was a Customer Service Manager overseeing a staff of 50, the next a major household name.
Melinda came to national attention when her image featured on a local advertising poster, and the poster was repeatedly stolen by eager fans. Hearing of this, she was whisked off to London and became the object of a bidding war between two of the biggest British tabloids, both desperate to sign her up as their poster girl; she went on to become the Sun newspaper's 'Girl of the Thrillenium'. A modern-day take on the Cinderella story; she quickly became one of Britain's most popular models and has carved out a career as a successful TV Presenter in a career that now spans more than a decade.
Melinda is a glorious blend of domestic goddess, girl-next-door, earth mother and career woman; with echoes of Doris Day, Jessica Rabbit and Hillary Clinton. A sex symbol, an intellectual, a spiritually-minded girl with a social conscience and a huge heart, someone who has made autonomy chic again. Very much a 21st century woman, Melinda is many things to different people; these contradictory images often confuse and confound, but Melinda defies being categorised, and as such continues t0 intrigue us.
TV / Acting Career:
Melinda is widely regarded as one of the most successful glamour models the country has ever produced, and one of the precious few who has successfully made the transition from glamour modelling to become a bona fide and highly-regarded TV Presenter.
Her TV career began in 1997 on Channel 4's cult show 'Eurotrash'; that same year she was given her own chat show on Channel 5 called 'Melinda's Big Night In'. From 1998, Melinda became the much-loved presenter of 'Fort Boyard', again on Five which ran for four successful series. She has since fronted many TV programmes for all channels, including the live chat show 'Loose Lips', 'Baby Baby', 'Can We Still Be Friends', 'Beat The Dealer', 'Melinda Hits Hollywood' and 'Beat The Crusher' amongst many others. In 2002, she appeared (and reached the final) of the last 'for charity' Celebrity Big Brother.
Melinda rapidly became a tabloid and magazine favourite during the late 1990's, riding the wave that was cool Britainnia, appearing on many magazine covers, including FHM, Esquire and Sky magazine.
The resultant publicity brought her to the notice of various producers; she appeared in a cameo role in 1999's 'Virtual Sexuality', co-starred in the 2000 cult movie 'Mumbo Jumbo', and a memorable cameo alongside Kathy Burke in 'Gimme Gimme Gimme'. She has quickly established herself as a popular pantomime actress, starring in many shows including 'Cinderella' and 'Aladdin'.
As a popular guest/guest presenter, Melinda established a real presence on television shows like, 'This Week', 'Richard & Judy', 'This Morning', 'GMTV', 'The Jonathan Ross Show', 'TFI Friday', 'Wish You Were Here', 'Age Swap', 'Heaven and Earth', 'Des & Mel', '4x4', 'What On Earth', 'City Hospital', 'All Star Family Fortunes', 'Ant & Dec's Saturday Take Away' and 'The Wright Stuff'.
In 2008 alone, Melinda has presented a host of programmes including for the BBC 'To Buy or Not To Buy', ITV1's 'Bingo Night Live", and 'A Garden For Eden' for ITV West.
The first half of 2009 has been dominated by Channel Five's very successful first series of 'Cowboy Builders', ITV1's 'Dancing On Ice' and the respective 2009 DOI Bolero 25th Anniversary Tour which saw Melinda performing live to nearly 600,000 people.
Melinda is currently hosting 'Live From Studio Five', a daily topical show for Channel Five.
Achievements:
Aside from being a mother of three, Melinda is a well-respected and outspoken advocate of children's rights. She has supported many charities including Banardo's, Spirituality For Kids, Action Aid, Comic Relief and the NSPCC amongst others, and has become a role model for working mothers everywhere.
In 2007, Melinda visited Malawi with Action Aid to highlight the plight of a nation of orphans whose lives have been torn apart by HIV, and became the first celebrity honored by the Malawian High Consulate for her contribution.
In addition to championing many worthy causes, Melinda has been the recipient of 1997's Rear of The Year, and 2003's 'Celebrity Mum of the Year'. Melinda teamed up with Alistair Stewart for a celebrity Christmas Special in 2006 for 'Who wants to be a Millionaire', raising £64,000 for 'Action Aid'.
Melinda had her own issue of 'At Home With…' magazine called 'At Home With Melinda Messenger', which was aimed at parents, and released a 'Back Into Shape Workout' video for post-pregnant mum's. She also took part in the fitness DVD 'All Star Workout' for 'Breakthrough Breast Cancer' in 2006.
She has fronted campaigns for many companies including 'Lipobind', 'B.H.S', BBC1's On-line 'Parenting Video on Demand', 'Lenor', 'Magnum', 'Virgin Trains', 'Love Film', the 'British Tea Council' and launched Channel Five. She's modelled for Vivienne Westwood and in 2008/09, she is the face and body of the D-G Cup range for designer lingerie brand 'Ultimo'.
In December 2008, Melinda launched her very first perfume 'Delightful by Melinda Messenger'.
Her party started over a decade ago and shows no sign of letting up. 
