Rhian Sugden, on the cusp of her 40th birthday, has shared a provocative image on Instagram, showcasing her figure in a sheer, plunging bodysuit. The former glamour model, who will celebrate her birthday in three weeks, captioned the post, "Keeping the algorithm hydrated. I'm turning 40 in three weeks and I fear I may just be getting started. I genuinely can't wait! Chapter 40 is going to be my best yet."
Sugden also referenced her new AI character, Rita, described as her digital alter ego designed to create content for subscribers. "And yes, despite unleashing AI Rita into the world, I'll still be creating my own content. She's got her job. I've got mine," she added, thanking the brand Playful Promises for the bodysuit.
The social media update comes after Sugden reflected earlier this summer on how a past sexting scandal with Vernon Kay has continued to impact her career. In 2010, Kay publicly apologized to his then-wife Tess Daly after messages exchanged with Sugden came to light. Allegations of renewed contact resurfaced in 2016, and the scandal was brought up again when Kay and Daly announced their separation in May.
Sugden is preparing to discuss the long-term effects of the scandal in an upcoming tell-all book. She noted that while Vernon Kay will be mentioned, she anticipates readers may expect revelations of a sordid affair that did not occur. "People get less of a sentence for murder. I'd understand if there'd been a full-blown affair, but there wasn't. Yet somehow, nearly 20 years later, it's still something that follows me around," she told The Mirror. Sugden stated her preference for her career achievements and businesses to be the focus of public attention, rather than the persistent fallout from that period of her life.
In 2020, Sugden had previously claimed the scandal had harmed her career, expressing that Kay had