Danielle Lloyd has spent more than 20 years appearing confident, glamorous and fearless in the public eye – but she says the reality behind the headlines was often very different.
Now the Liverpool-born mum of five, businesswoman and television personality is sharing what those experiences have taught her in her new book, Confidence Is The Business Plan.
Part personal story and part practical guide, the book follows Danielle’s journey through self-doubt, difficult relationships and intense public pressure, to rebuilding her life, launching businesses and learning to trust her own judgement.
At the heart of the book is Danielle’s belief that confidence is not necessarily something people are born with, but something they can build over time.
Danielle said:
“For years people probably looked at me and assumed I was confident because I was on television and modelling.
“The truth is I’ve made mistakes, experienced rejection and had periods when I’ve had to completely start again.
“What I’ve realised is that confidence isn’t something you suddenly wake up with. You build it by doing things that scare you, getting things wrong, learning from them and carrying on.
“I wanted to write the book I wish I’d had when I was younger.”
Danielle first rose to prominence after being crowned Miss England in 2004, followed by Miss Great Britain in 2006, before developing a high-profile career in modelling and television.
Her appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007 brought further national attention and she has remained a familiar figure in the media since.
Her personal life has also frequently made headlines. Danielle married footballer Jamie O’Hara in 2012 and the couple had three sons together before divorcing in 2014.
She later married Michael O’Neill in 2019 and the couple have two children together. Danielle now combines raising her five children with her business interests and media career.
Confidence Is The Business Plan is aimed at people who want to start a business, make a change or pursue an ambition but feel held back by a lack of self-belief.
The book explores dealing with rejection, overcoming perfectionism, worrying less about other people’s opinions, becoming more consistent in business and developing the confidence to lead.
It also features practical exercises and confidence tools, alongside a 30-Day Business Confidence Challenge designed to help readers put its advice into practice.
Danielle said:
“This isn’t a book telling people to be fearless because I’m certainly not fearless. It’s about understanding that you can be frightened or unsure and still take the next step.
“If somebody reads it who has been sitting on a business idea, thinking about changing their life or simply doesn’t believe in themselves as much as they should, I hope it gives them the push to start.
“You don’t need confidence to start. You need to start to build confidence.”
Now 42, Danielle says she feels more comfortable with herself and her decisions than she did when she first entered the public eye.
She said:
“I can’t change what’s happened in my life and I wouldn’t pretend I’ve always got everything right. But I’ve learned from it.
“At 42, I’m much more comfortable with who I am. For me, real confidence isn’t walking into a room thinking you’re better than everybody else. It’s walking into that room knowing you’re good enough to be there.”
Confidence Is The Business Plan is available here in paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
