Dancing on Ice's Charlie Brooks life off-screen - lookalike daughter to sex toy business
Charlie Brooks is about to glide onto our screens in the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice.
Paired with Olympic skater Eric Radford, Charlie, , who is best known to fans for her role as the iconic villain Janine Butcher on EastEnders, has already hinted at her excitement and nerves about the challenge.
In a recent interview, Charlie revealed that taking on Dancing on Ice has been a transformative experience and said: "I’ve always loved pushing myself into new spaces, and this is such a unique opportunity."
But away from the limelight, Charlie has quite an extraordinary life and has pursued other ventures that many may not be aware of.
Growing up in Gwynedd
Charlie was born on May 3, 1981, in Ware, Hertfordshire, but grew up in the seaside town of Barmouth, Gwynedd.
From a young age, her passion for acting was evident and she later studied at Ravenscourt Theatre School in London, honing her craft and preparing for a career in entertainment.
Her career began with small roles in popular British shows like The Bill, London’s Burning, and Jonathan Creek. However, it was landing the role of Janine Butcher on EastEnders in 1999 that catapulted her into stardom.
Janine quickly became one of the most memorable and scheming characters in the soap’s history, earning Charlie numerous accolades for her dramatic and villainous portrayal.
Life beyond Albert Square
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Although Janine Butcher became her signature role, Charlie’s career has been far from one-dimensional.
She left EastEnders in 2004 to explore other opportunities, including starring in stage productions like Office Games and Our Country’s Good. She later appeared in the West End hit Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as the Childcatcher, showcasing her versatility as a performer.
Charlie has also dabbled in reality TV, famously winning the twelfth series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2012.
Her most recent return to EastEnders in 2021 delivered a dramatic storyline involving Janine’s infamous schemes and a shocking cliffhanger exit. She departed the soap again in 2022 but left the door open for a potential return.
Personal Life
Charlie has a teenage daughter, Kiki, from her previous relationship with Tony Truman. She has often spoken about balancing her career with motherhood, emphasizing that Kiki remains her priority.
Recently, Charlie has been open about her new relationship with TV producer James Fuller, whom she met while preparing for Dancing on Ice.
She credits the experience with teaching her about trust and emotional vulnerability. In interviews, she’s expressed gratitude for her personal growth, saying, "It’s been a journey of discovery, and I feel stronger than ever."
Sex toy business
In addition to her acting and reality TV career, Charlie has proven herself to be a savvy entrepreneur.
In 2020, she launched her own line of sex toys called I Am Arla, designed to empower women to embrace their sexuality and break taboos surrounding intimacy.
The actress described the inspiration behind the brand as a personal journey toward self-love and acceptance. She explained that the idea came from wanting to start conversations about women’s pleasure and self-care in a way that felt empowering and inclusive.
She previously said: "I wanted to create something that felt classy, comfortable, and gave women the confidence to own their sexuality."
The brand has been praised for its sleek design, focus on body positivity, and commitment to breaking down stigmas.
Charlie has openly spoken about the importance of normalizing discussions around sexual health and well-being, saying, "Women should never feel ashamed about taking charge of their pleasure—it’s a part of who we are."
Dancing on Ice airs Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV1
