The One Show presenter and former Celebrity Big Brother star Angellica Bell opened up about the financial challenges she has faced while working as a freelancer
Angellica Bell with her The One Show co-hosts
The One Show presenter Angellica Bell has spoken candidly about a challenging chapter in her career that nearly forced her to sell her home. On a mission to educate young people about financial responsibility, the 50-year-old revealed she understands all too well what it’s like to experience both prosperity and hardship with money.
Angellica remembers choosing to save rather than spend when she received her first CBBC salary, ultimately using the funds to purchase her first property. The forward-thinking approach served her well over the years, until she encountered financial difficulties and found herself struggling to keep up with her mortgage repayments.
“There was a moment where I’ve nearly had to sell my house. I’ve been on my knees, but I’ve been on TV, and people wouldn’t know that,” she disclosed to Ateh Jewel on Hello! Magazine’s Second Act Podcast.
“When that kicks in. You’re like, well, I have to pivot. I think what women don’t give themselves enough credit for is that we are adapting at so many stages of our lives, and it’s incredible.”
“So there’s been so many times where I’ve thought maybe the second act is here, or the third act or the fourth act… I’m proud of myself. We don’t say we’re proud of ourselves enough,” she continued.
Angellica, who is married to Michael Underwood, had originally been set to pursue a career in law, with support from a close barrister friend. However, when they passed away unexpectedly, the tragedy prompted the broadcaster to alter course and launch a career in television instead.
She is perhaps best known for her presenting work on CBBC between 2000 and 2006. In more recent years, she claimed victory in the 2017 series of Celebrity MasterChef and took part in Celebrity Big Brother last year.
Angellica has also co-hosted The Martin Lewis Money Show and continues to be a familiar face on the BBC’s The One Show.
Prior to her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother, the presenter opened up about the challenges of working as a freelancer.
“People see the glass of it all, but there’s been times where I’ve been like, ‘I don’t know what to do’. You know, times are a little bit hard being a freelancer and I’m not afraid to say that,” she told Express. co.uk.
Reflecting on the guidance finance expert Martin Lewis had offered her, she added: “He’ll be like, ‘do this, do that’, he’s really helped me think about money.
“He’s always like, ‘right what have you got next? You need to be a bit more pushy, you need to do this’.”
She was reportedly dropped from the programme in 2023, with the star speaking about her departure while in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
“Before I came in here, I was a little bit scared,” she said in the Diary Room. “The press were asking if I’d talk about the Martin Lewis show and stuff. It took me a long time to get over that.”
She went on to say: “I’m so grateful to all the audience that messaged me about it and also to other celebrities who contacted me and stuff.”
The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One
