Kelly Brook reveals personal reasons behind not having kids with Jeremy Parisi

Kelly Brook, the ever-glamorous model and Heart FM presenter, has been turning heads since she first stepped into the modelling world at 18. Yet, it's her latest stint on Celebrity Race Across The World that has fans seeing a different facet of the star.

Swapping glitz for adventure, Kelly has embraced everything from overnight bus journeys to a bare-faced look, giving viewers a refreshing glimpse of her natural self as she navigates South America with her Italian model beau, Jeremy Parisi, for the BBC programme.

For the first time, Kelly, 44, who has a history of high-profile romances with the likes of Hollywood tough guy Jason Statham, actor Billy Zane, and rugby ace Danny Cipriani, is offering an intimate insight into her life with Jeremy.

"I think people can relate to your journey and it's not all about who wins," she shares. "I think it has struck a chord with viewers. They also want to see how we get along as a couple and in a way they are seeing Jeremy for the first time," reports OK!.

In a revealing conversation, Kelly opens up about her mother's impact on her life choices and dishes on her aspirations to start a family with Jeremy.

Speaking about their connection she said: "He had such kind eyes and a beautiful smile, I was immediately attracted to him. We were friends before we even met because we found each other online. We never rushed into a relationship; it was very gradual. We didn't talk about getting married or having children we just wanted to get to know each other. He also made me laugh, which is important."

When asked about any plans for expanding their family in the future Kelly said: "We have our little fur baby dog, Teddy, but I'm not sure about having children yet. At the moment we are focused on work and where we want to live in the world. It's very hard to think about children when you don't know where you might be living. We need to be more settled before we think about children."

Since the tender age of 18 Kelly has worked hard to make a name for herself and she says her ambition to be famous definitely comes from her "mum's influence".

She added: "Growing up in a working-class family, I wasn't really aware of any struggles. My parents both worked and there was always food on the table we never went without. I think my drive comes from just wanting to explore the world and be independent financially. It comes from my mum teaching me not to rush into having kids because she was 17 when she had me, so she made me feel that life was there for the taking."

Last year, Kelly confessed that she had body confidence issues in her thirties but says she feels content with her body image now. She said: "When I look in the mirror, I smile. Sometimes, what you feel inside doesn't always reflect externally. It's challenging having been a bikini model throughout my twenties and then hitting 30, they still want me to do calendars. I'm just not available for the male gaze anymore. I'm married and content."

Kelly has appeared on all sorts of TV shows throughout her career, but is best known for her stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

When asked if she would consider participating in Strictly again she said: "No, absolutely not. I never wish to go backwards, only forwards. That's why I chose to participate in Celebrity Race Across The World. I thought it would be suitable for both me and Jeremy. I'm not desperate to be on TV, I just thought this would work for both of us. However, I cherished my time on Strictly."

Celebrity Race Across the World continues Wednesday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 9pm.