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GETTING JILLY WITH IT

Who is Jilly Johnson and where is the former Page 3 model now?

MODELLING legend Jilly Johnson was one of the first women to model on Page 3.

Outside of modelling, Johnson has also had exciting careers in acting, singing, and writing.

 Jilly Johnson was one of the first ever Page 3 models
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Jilly Johnson was one of the first ever Page 3 modelsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Who is Jilly Johnson?

Jilly Johnson is a model, actress, singer, and writer. She is best known for her years as a Page 3 model in the 1970s and 1980s.

Johnson was born Jilly Gosden on 17 November, 1953, making her 66-years-old.

She was born in Queensland, Australia. Her family moved to Surrey in England when she was eight.

When Jilly was 16, she was planning to start at a drama school when she was persuaded to try out for a modelling assignment.

During the photoshoot, the playful Jilly took off her top as a joke.

The resulting pictures were splashed over a tabloid the very next day.

 Jilly Johnson originally wanted to be an actress before she became an overnight modelling success
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Jilly Johnson originally wanted to be an actress before she became an overnight modelling successCredit: PA:Press Association

On the topic of starting her glamour modelling career so young, Johnson says: "I was so headstrong, I did whatever I liked. But I don’t regret what I did. It was an incredible launch pad for my modelling career and I had so much fun.

"It was first-class flights, five-star hotels, it was all so crazy that at one point I had to ring down to reception to ask what country I was in."

Johnson has had success in an array of fields.

In 1978, she formed a girl group with fellow glamour model Nina Carter called Blonde on Blonde. Their most successful single was a cover version of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love'.

They featured in a cameo role in the 1979 British thriller film The Golden Lady, and appear on the soundtrack album of the movie.

Johnson has also written two novels. Double Exposure (1994) is about the dark side of the modelling world, and Playing for Love (1997) which is about a successful young actress with a past that comes back to haunt her.

Johnson appears in the odd modelling campaign here and there, but is happy staying out the limelight to help look after her grandchildren.

Is Jilly Johnson married?

At 19, she married businessman Brian Johnson and the couple had a daughter Lucy.

In 2002, she married 74-year-old Ashley Brolin, who is the CEO of Ashley Wilde Group Ltd.

What is Jilly Johnson doing now?

Johnson has stepped out of the limelight to help take care of her grandchildren.

She is now a grandmother to three and a step-grandmother to seven.

She also owns many Great Danes, and often posts about them on her Instagram.

 

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