Abbey Clancy’s Britain’s Next Top Model journey began back in 2006, when she was just 20. She was runner-up to Lianna Fowler. But she was by far the most famous person from that series.
Abbey returned to the show as head judge nine years later, in 2015. She turned from a nervous contestant to casting judgment on others’ fates on the same show.
The 2006 Audition
Abbey Clancy Britain’s Next Top Model audition took place whilst she was working in a Liverpool-based boutique and when she was a member of the girl band Genie Queen. The band was managed by Andy McCluskey from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, which is random.
She was one of 13 contestants who made it to the finals. Spent 10 weeks competing. Made it to the final runway with Lianna but lost. Abbey claimed she gained almost a stone during her time filming, as she just ate junk in the house. Later on, when she became the judge, she told contestants over and over to focus, because she had messed about.
If you see old photos from 2006, they are hilarious. Abbey Clancy age was only 20. In one ensemble, she wore an oversized pinstripe suit, a white shirt, white shorts and black heels. These days she’s always clad in Saint Laurent boots and Acne Studios leather.
Abbey Clancy’s height is 1.75m (5 foot 7). Decent for a model but not crazy tall. She’s got cheekbones you could ski down, though.
After Losing
Losing Britain’s Next Top Model in 2006 didn’t stop her. She modelled for magazines straight away. Appeared on the Arena cover in May 2007 with a Triumph Bonneville. Got chosen for Sports Illustrated’s 2010 swimsuit edition in body paint made to look like an England shirt.
She walked in Giles Deacon’s Spring 2011 collection. Got campaigns with Umbro. Her career took off way more than Lianna’s did, even though Lianna won.
Meeting Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy started dating in 2006, which just so happens to be when she appeared on the programme. They met in a Liverpool bar. Peter told Radio X that he thought Abbey was out of his league.
They got engaged in July 2009. Abbey Clancy wedding date was 30 June 2011 at Stapleford Park Hotel. They reaffirmed their vows in 2023 at the Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort on a private island.
Abbey Clancy Children
The couple have 4 kids. Their first daughter, Sophia Ruby, was born on 14 March 2011, before they married. Liberty Rose came on 1 June 2015. Then Johnny in January 2018. Jack was born on 3 June 2019.
Abbey posted about Jack, saying, “My 3 boys are feeling like the luckiest girl alive right now.” She’s juggled mad modelling and TV work whilst raising four kids.
Strictly Win
In 2013, Abbey appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. Got partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec. They were the first couple that year to score a perfect 40 during Musicals Week. Won the whole series.
That Strictly win probably raised her profile even more than Britain’s Next Top Model did. Everyone watches Strictly. Loads of people who’d never heard of her suddenly knew who she was.
Becoming Head Judge
In 2015, Abbey Clancy Britain’s Next Top Model announcement came; she was returning as head judge. The show had been axed by Sky Living in 2013, but Lifetime renewed it.
Abbey said, “Britain’s Next Top Model is a show very close to my heart, as it’s where I started my career, so I am thrilled to be returning as head judge.”
She replaced Elle Macpherson. Worked alongside fashion director Hilary Alexander OBE, photographer Nicky Johnston (who’d been there when Abbey competed), and male model Paul Sculfor.
Abbey judged for two series in 2016 and 2017. Then the show got cancelled. She’d competed in 2006, judged a decade later, and then it ended.
Abbey Clancy Net Worth
Abbey Clancy net worth estimates vary. Some sources say £3.4 million; others reckon $4 million (about £3.1 million).
That money comes from modelling campaigns, TV presenting, judging gigs, brand endorsements, and her Lipsy clothing collection. She’s also got The Therapy Crouch podcast with Peter, which is massively popular.
In 2023, she hosted Abbey Clancy: Celebrity Homes on ITV. She’s worked with Ultimo lingerie and Schwarzkopf hair. Did a beauty column for The Sun in 2012, though she later apologised because Liverpool boycotts The Sun.
Her Family
Abbey Clancy’s dad is Geoffrey Thomas Clancy. Her mum is Karen Sullivan. Who is Abbey Clancy’s sister? She has siblings but her cousin Chloe Cummings was a top 13 contestant in the fifth cycle of Britain’s Next Top Model.
Her brother Sean was a footballer and played for A.F.C. Telford United. He was also in Desperate Scousewives on E4.
She came of age in Woolton, a suburb of Liverpool. Attended St Mary’s Primary and St Julie’s Catholic High School. That all-girl band she was a member of while working at a boutique before Britain’s Next Top Model changed everything.
Other TV Work
Abbey’s done loads of telly beyond Strictly and Britain’s Next Top Model. She was in Hell’s Kitchen in 2007 and was the third contestant voted off.
She had her own reality show, Abbey and Janice: Beauty and the Beast, in 2007 with Janice Dickinson as her mentor. Followed her trying to break into the LA modelling scene.
Co-hosted The Fashion Show on ITV2. Won Chris Moyles’ Quiz Night on 10 May 2009 – beat Patsy Kensit and won the whole first series.
Appeared in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Men Behaving Badly, League of Their Own, Celebrity Juice, and Ant and Dec’s Saturday Takeaway.
The Podcast
The Therapy Crouch podcast started a few years back. Abbey and Peter talk about relationships, their marriage, parenting, and random stuff. It’s become one of the most successful celebrity podcasts in the UK.
They’re dead honest about their relationship, including the good bits and the arguments. Peter talks about feeling inadequate sometimes because Abbey’s so stunning. Abbey talks about juggling work and four kids.
The podcast probably earns them a decent chunk through sponsorships and ads. Celebrity podcasts can pull in £100,000+ yearly if they’re popular enough.
Why It Worked
Most people who appear on reality shows fade away. Abbey didn’t. She kept working, took opportunities seriously (eventually), and built a career beyond just “that girl from Britain’s Next Top Model”.
Marrying Peter Crouch helped with visibility, as footballers’ wives get attention. But she carved out her own thing. Won strictly on her own merit. Got judging gigs based on her experience.
Coming back to Britain’s Next Top Model as head judge must’ve felt brilliant. From a nervous 20-year-old who put on weight eating junk food to a 29-year-old successful model telling other girls what to do.
The show got cancelled after her two series as a judge. But she’d already proved her point. Runner-up in 2006, head judge in 2015-2017. Not bad at all.
