Who is Lisa Appleton? Former Big Brother contestant and Celebs On Benefits star who’s had £10,000 of surgery

LISA Appleton is a well-loved reality TV star, who first hit our screens as a Big Brother housemate in 2008.

Here's everything you need to know about her and what she's been up to since coming off benefits...

Who is Lisa Appleton? What's her background?

Lisa Appleton is a former bodybuilder and fitness fanatic, born May 23 1968.

The brunette troublemaker is best-known for appearing on the 2008 series of Big Brother, where she entered the house with her then boyfriend Mario Marconi.

Mario later went on to propose to Lisa on camera.

Unfortunately their marriage lasted only two years before they headed to the divorce courts.

The split came after a conman “destroyed” their lives, by filming them for six months for a non-existent reality TV show.

Lisa has a daughter Sophia from a previous relationship, who now lives in Canada.

What has Lisa been up to since Big Brother?

After a brief spell being paid to do photoshoots and public appearances, the work dried up for Lisa.

She then popped up on Channel 5 documentary On Benefits: Living the High Life showing viewers how her life had changed dramatically.

On claiming benefits for three-and-a-half years, Lisa said: "I’ve lost everything, I’ve lost my sanity, I’ve lost my marriage, I’ve lost my car, my home, security. I’ve lost my way.

"I absolutely hate it when people say ‘just get a job’ – you can’t just get a job."

Lisa told The Sun exclusively that she had suicidal thoughts during that period as she was dealing with a terrifying stalker as well as suffering a complete breakdown.

Since then Lisa has rebuilt her life and has made a career out of doing outrageous photoshoots.

In 2016 and 2017 she made a full return to the limelight and secured her place as the best loved reality TV star in Britain.

However since coming off benefits and turning down webcam work she has been living in a treehouse and struggling to make ends meet. 

In 2018 Lisa appeared on celebrity special of the The Jeremy Kyle show alongside Lauren Harries, after the pair had a barney about a holiday in Benidorm.

What cosmetic surgery has Lisa Appleton had?

In August 2017, Lisa unveiled her new look after she underwent major "body" plastic surgery costing £10,000.

The Big Brother star was pictured with bandages on her face for weeks after the treatments but says it was worth it as she now looks "20 years younger".

Revealing her body transformation to Closer magazine, Lisa, 49, said she has also dropped from a size 16 to a size 12 and is loving her new look.

She said: "I look 20 years younger now! I look like a sexy Bond Girl and I could definitely give Sophie Anderton a run for her money!

Detailing her surgeries, Lisa revealed she opted for a local anaesthetic and was awake the whole time.

She said: "The first day I had a facelift, neck lift and eyelid fat removal one after the other.