Full name: Melinda Jane Messenger
Date of Birth: 23rd February 1971
Starsign: Pisces
Birth location: Swindon, Wiltshire, England, UK Height: 1.63m/5' 4"
Vital Statistics: 34DD-22-34
Marital Status: Married Wayne Roberts in Bali on 26th November 1998
Children: Two sons - Morgan (born 10/04/00) and Flynn (born 20/02/02)
Home: Wanborough, near Swindon
TV Appearances: Sport Relief, Can We Still Be Friends?, Beat the Crusher, Melinda's Big Night In, Fort Boyard, Melinda Messenger Hits Hollywood, Sky TV Live Six, The Jack Docherty Show, Wish You Were Here, Pulling Power, Ready Steady Cook, Open House, Gimme Gimme Gimme, Armstrong and Miller, TFI Friday, Eurotrash, Comic Relief, Shooting Stars, Women on Top, The Kumars at No. 42, Your Life in Their Hands, Celebrity Big Brother 2
Film Appearances: The Mumbo Jumbo, Virtual Sexuality
Biography: Melinda worked as an air stewardess and later as an office manager for a Swindon marketing company before getting her big break in 1996.

It was while she was signed to the Jason Paul Modelling Agency, that she was selected for a poster advertising campaign by Gloucester-based double glazing company Glevum Windows.

The subsequent exposure brought her to the attention of The Daily Star who devoted a centre page spread to her in early 1997. She was then poached by The Sun newspaper who promptly hailed her 'Page Three Girl of the Thrillenium'.

Melinda's topless photos in the tabloid led to her becoming one of the most popular 'Page 3' girls the UK has ever seen.

It was during this period that she left the Jason Paul Agency and signed up with Yvonne Paul, who had earlier steered glamour models such as Samantha Fox to fame in the 80s.

Melinda!

After being thrust into the limelight via her glamour modelling, Melinda sensibly decided to move away from this type of work into TV presenting with appearances on Eurotrash and as a guest presenter on Channel 5's Jack Docherty Show.

This led to her own Channel 5 chat show - Melinda's Big Night In.

Throughout the late 90s she maintained her public profile with appearances in shows such as Gimme Gimme Gimme and Shooting Stars.

The odd minor movie role also came her way such as the Brit teen flick, Virtual Sexuality where she played 'Superbra Girl', as well as a cameo in the little-seen, The Mumbo Jumbo.

Possibly her most well-known TV presenting role was in Fort Boyard on Channel 5 which ran for five series. She joined ex-Eastender Leslie Grantham and Catweazle star Geoffrey Bayldon in this Crystal Maze-type game show which tested contestants physical agility and brainpower on a sea fortress in France.

Despite her busy career, she found time to marry long-standing boyfriend Wayne Roberts in Bali in November 1998. The couple have since had two children - Morgan and Flynn, born in 2000 and 2002 respectively.

She has always remained loyal to her home town of Swindon and lives with her family just outside the town in the nearby village of Wanborough.

Melinda entering the Big Brother house

Melinda stepped in as a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother 2002 after the model Caprice pulled out to appear in a West End play.

While Melinda was in the house, she remained good-humoured throughout and appeared to thoroughly enjoy the experience.

She even remained composed when after successfully completing the assault course task, she was rewarded with a video message from husband Wayne and her children.

This quiet self-assurance and sunny personality led early evictees such as Goldie and Sue Perkins to dub her an emotionless 'blonde Vulcan' with a 'Vader presence'.

Throughout the show's run, Melinda had been bookmaker's favourite to win the contest. She eventually finished third with 9% of the votes - behind Les Dennis and Mark Owen.

Many celebrities from previous reality TV programmes have received a massive career boost from taking part. With charisma and talent in abundance, Melinda will surely follow suit.

Trivia:

• Melinda has always publicly denied having breast implants!
• She is left-handed
• When she first became famous, she fibbed about her age - claiming she was 22 when she was really 26!
• She apeared in a pop video for the band Snug
• She was estranged from her mother Avis who objected to her glamour work. They have since reconciled following the birth of her sons
• She has two brothers - Jamie and Warren
• Melinda hopes to adopt or foster a child one day
• She is currently studying for a degree in Philosophy at Reading University
• She has played Cinderella in pantomime a total of four times
• She will be appearing as the Princess in the Christmas panto Aladdin at the Birmingham Hippodrome from December 21st 2002 to February 9th 2003
• Her favourite film is The Royal Tennenbaums and her favourite song is 'Everybody's Talkin' by Harry Nilsson

Interviews:

Listen in streaming Real Audio to BBC Radio Wiltshire presenter Sandy Martin in conversation with Melinda in December 2000.