From Miss Great Britain to TOWIE Fame and Real‑Life Challenges: The Untold Story of Clelia Theodorou

Clelia Theodorou’s journey from national beauty queen to reality TV star and then into the spotlight of real‑life trials is one marked by glamour, resilience, and unexpected turns. Best known for her time on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), she captured audiences with her Mediterranean looks, bold personality, and headline‑grabbing storylines. But long before she became a familiar face on British television, Clelia had already built an impressive foundation in the world of modelling and pageantry — a beginning that laid the groundwork for a multi‑faceted public life.

Born on December 1, 1994, in Plymouth, England, Clelia Theodorou grew up outside of the constant glare of fame, yet her striking appearance and confidence hinted at what was to come. Of Greek heritage, she brought a unique presence to every room she entered, and that charisma would soon be recognized on a much larger stage.

At just 19 years old, Clelia won the Miss Great Britain 2014 title — an achievement that would prove to be a major milestone in her early life. The national pageant is one of the UK’s most respected, bringing with it opportunities in modelling, media appearances, and collaborations with fashion brands. For Clelia, the win marked her first major step into the public eye and set her up for a burgeoning modelling career that saw her working with brands such as Rebellious Fashion and Luxe To Kill, and appearing in magazines including Sixty6 Magazine and Zoo.

Her pageant success wasn’t just a trophy on a shelf — it became the platform that helped her enter the world of television. In 2018, TOWIE brought Clelia onto the cast for its 23rd series, introducing her to an audience hungry for personality, romance, and drama. From the outset, she made an impression, quickly becoming involved in storylines that placed her at the heart of the show’s interpersonal conflicts and romantic arcs. Her feuds and alliances — particularly those involving cast members like Shelby Tribble — added to her reputation as a fiery and unforgettable presence on screen.

Clelia’s time on TOWIE lasted until 2021, when a major cast overhaul by producers led to her, along with several other notable faces, being written out of the series. The decision surprised many fans, as Clelia had become one of the more memorable cast members during her three‑year stint. While she expressed goodwill toward her former co‑stars and reflected fondly on her time on the show, her departure nonetheless marked a turning point in her public life.

Off screen, life presented Clelia with challenges that were far more profound than any reality TV plotline. In May 2023, she was involved in a devastating car accident while heavily pregnant, a crash that claimed her mother’s life and left Clelia with multiple serious injuries, including broken legs and fractured feet. The emotional blow was immense — losing a parent is one of life’s deepest sorrows — and the physical toll was equally daunting, requiring extended hospital stays, surgeries, and an arduous recovery process.

Clelia shared her journey publicly via Instagram, offering followers an intimate look at both her pain and her progress. At the time of the crash, she was 35 weeks pregnant, and despite the severity of her injuries and the emotional weight of her loss, she persevered through the trauma. “My reality — 35 weeks pregnant, two broken legs and two broken feet,” she wrote, acknowledging that she had “broken more bones than I even knew you had in your feet.” Her resilience through this period was not just admirable — it was inspiring, illustrating a strength that went far beyond her television persona.

In September 2023, just months after the accident, Clelia welcomed her daughter, Cielo Elizabeth Cole, with her partner Tommy Cole. The birth of her daughter was a profoundly emotional and hopeful moment, and Clelia and Tommy shared the news with joy, calling their baby a “miracle” after such a challenging period.

As Cielo grew, so too did Clelia’s determination to recover physically and emotionally. In 2025 she candidly reflected on the long road of healing, sharing that even two years after the crash, she continued to navigate both physical scars and emotional adjustments. She posted images of herself with her daughter exploring the park, noting the emotional weight that came with seeing the scars from her surgeries, but also celebrating the small victories — like walking and spending time with Cielo — that once seemed impossible.

The tragic accident not only altered Clelia’s body but transformed her perspective on life. What had once been a career built on pageants, fashion, and TV drama became a deeper understanding of personal strength, motherhood, and loss. Her candid reflections on social media — discussing scars, grief, and recovery — resonated with fans and followers who saw a young woman confronting real struggles head‑on.

Beyond the accident and its aftermath, Clelia’s personal life has included public relationships, including past romances with fellow TOWIE personalities and figures like footballer Danny Simpson. But again, it’s her resilience — rather than her relationship history — that has left a lasting impression on many followers. Today, Clelia often uses her platform to update fans about her life as a mother, including everyday challenges like caring for her daughter or navigating family health scares with grace and honesty.

Reflecting on her path, it’s clear that Clelia Theodorou’s life cannot be defined by a single moment or a single achievement. She has moved from national beauty titles to reality TV screens, and through unimaginable loss to everyday motherhood — all while remaining remarkably open about her growth. Whether it was strutting down a runway, stirring up drama on TOWIE, or painstakingly walking again after surgery, Clelia’s story is one of perseverance and evolution.

As she continues to document her journey, fans and followers around the world recognize that she is much more than a reality star. Clelia is a model, a mother, a survivor, and a woman who has continually found ways to rise above the unexpected turns of life with courage and candour. Her journey serves as a reminder that while public life can be glamorous and dramatic, the most profound stories are often found in the quiet strength of everyday resilience.