There are no half-measures for Vicky Silverthorn. ‘I am,’ she says, ‘on a one-woman mission to de-clutter Britain.’
Now, with her own slot on daytime TV, the willowy brunette, who’s organised the lives of everyone from professional footballers to Lily Allen, is even closer to achieving her goal of world (or at least British) order.
Vicky has been a champion tidier for as long as she can remember. ‘When I was a child I had 50 teddy bears in my bedroom and they had to be arranged in height order,’ she laughs.
Vicky Silverthorn organised the lives of everyone from professional footballers to Lily Allen, is even closer to achieving her goal of world (or at least British) order (stock image)
After working as a receptionist, barmaid and personal assistant to a golf manager – making travel arrangements for 26 golfers – Berkshire-raised Vicky, 33, became PA to a football agent, whose clients included Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen.
Then, in 2009, a recruitment agency sent her to be pop singer Lily Allen’s PA. ‘The best moment was when Lily played Glastonbury. I remember peeping out from the side of the stage and there were tens of thousands of people waiting to see her sing. I thought, “Wow! This is the highlight of my career.”’
But when Lily moved to the Cotswolds two years later with her fiancé (now husband) Sam for a life of domesticity, Vicky struck out on her own, launching You Need A Vicky.
‘The idea was that I’d go into people’s homes or offices and impose order,’ she says. One of her first clients was the owner of a model agency whose wardrobes were overflowing. ‘I made everything shipshape. The client was over the moon.’
And now Vicky is advising all of us in Junk The Junk on ITV’s This Morning. With interior designer Scott Waldron, last seen on 60 Minute Makeover, Vicky de-clutters a room in a viewer’s house and Scott transforms its interior with Vicky contributing storage suggestions. In one feature, we meet a mother of twins who wants to convert a spare room into a bedroom for her autistic son.
There was La Roux singer Elly Jackson (reorganising a spare room), and rugby player Ugo Monye (downsizing) in the new series
Says Vicky, ‘There was floor-to-ceiling clutter so I removed everything and laid it out on a tarpaulin. I made her choose what she was going to keep, what was for charity and what would be thrown away.’
It’s the same sort of advice Vicky offers the stars. Former Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding needed help with paperwork as well as with a move.
Then there was La Roux singer Elly Jackson (reorganising a spare room), Footballers’ Wives actress Susie Amy (wardrobe) and rugby player Ugo Monye (downsizing).
But there are ‘ordinary’ customers, too, who for up to £350 a day have turned to Vicky for help. She’s convinced de-cluttering a home can have a positive impact on every aspect of life. ‘If your domestic environment isn’t ordered it’s harder to achieve other goals: it’s a state of mind.’
So what would she advise? ‘De-clutter your fridge and your cupboards before you start a diet,’ says Vicky. ‘Looking for a new job? Sort out your wardrobe first, then you’ll be ready for that all-important interview.’
And, if you can’t brace yourself to tackle the task, you know exactly who to turn to.