The self-proclaimed Toffee King, her great-great-grandfather, was a notable Victorian entrepreneur who founded Mackintosh’s, one of Britain’s cherished companies.
A generation later, her great-grandfather and his brother, both devout Methodists and strong supporters of the Sunday School Movement, pioneered the creation of Quality Street.
Fast forward seventy-five years, and Millie Mackintosh has gained her own fame as one of the most glamorous and vibrant stars of the hit reality TV show Made In Chelsea.
She then angrily passes by the 21-year-old Rosie, stating, ‘You’re disgusting.’
This moment is typical of Millie’s dramatic style; in another unforgettable scene from the show, she was shown throwing a dirty Martini (with a splash of olive brine) in Hugo’s face, an Old Harrovian who previously dated Princess Eugenie. As fans of Made In Chelsea like to say, totes amaze!
What are Millie’s thoughts, as the cover star of December’s FHM magazine in her lingerie, regarding her illustrious lineage and her unfaithful friend?
Also, is it true, as some skeptics suggest, that everything displayed in this new genre of ‘structured reality’ TV shows is fabricated?
Millie asserts that her personal experiences are all too painfully genuine. Last week, she informed her 125,000 Twitter followers: ‘I can safely say that nothing that’s happened to me in these episodes has been “constructed” … eventually, the truth always reveals itself.’
In addition, she commented yesterday: ‘None of it is scripted; all the conversations are entirely real. While producers might facilitate two people meeting at the same location if a conversation is warranted, that is the extent of their involvement.’
Millie described the revelation of Hugo and Rosie’s betrayal as ‘one of the hardest things I have experienced in my life’.
‘Discovering Rosie’s involvement was quite unpleasant and shocking, especially with cameras capturing everything. It was a nasty surprise, and the emotions are still very fresh.’
‘I’m moving on and have nothing further to say to him. This experience has provided me with closure and helped me understand that I need to stop longing for him.
‘I’m focusing on the future now, and Christmas is an excellent opportunity to be single – there will be plenty of exciting parties and chances to meet new people. I’m optimistic about finding a nice man, but I also recognize that I will be more cautious with trust based on what I’ve experienced.’
Regarding the incident with the Martini, Millie, unapologetic, shares: ‘That moment received the most significant reaction from viewers. There are times when I find myself in Tesco or at the bank, and someone approaches me saying, “You go, girl.”
‘I’ve received fantastic support from strangers, as many girls can relate to being cheated on.’
Millie’s glamorous and eventful lifestyle in London stands in stark contrast to that of her great-great grandfather, John Mackintosh, and his wife Violet, who in 1890 invested their £100 life savings in a pastry shop in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Violet, previously a confectioner’s assistant before her marriage, managed the shop while John continued to work at a “`html
cotton mill.
To attract customers, they introduced a unique toffee, with Violet creating a recipe that mixed the classic, brittle English butterscotch and the soft American caramel. Marketed as Mackintosh’s Celebrated Toffee, it changed the general perception of toffee, which had previously referred to any type of sugar or boiled sweet.
It appeared that John Mackintosh inherited a talent for marketing and publicity, a trait evident in the family lineage.
Proclaiming himself the Toffee King, he initiated the printing of pamphlets that boasted about ‘The King Of All The Toffees’ and distributed them at the
Saturday market, coinciding with workers’ half-holiday moments and their weekly pay.
He launched a groundbreaking national press strategy in 1902, purchasing advertising space in the Daily Mail, the leading mass-market newspaper in Britain, incorporating graphics and cartoons while his competitors largely relied on lengthy descriptions.
By 1914, Mackintosh’s products had made their way to America, Germany, Australia, and Canada, employing around 1,000 individuals.
Following John’s passing in 1920, his sons Harold and Douglas – Millie’s great-grandfather – took over and continued to innovate, launching Quality Street (1936), Rolo (1938), Caramac (1959), and Toffee Crisp (1963).
The company merged with Rowntree’s in 1969, resulting in the formation of Rowntree Mackintosh, which Nestle acquired in 1988.
‘I take great pride in our family legacy,’ Millie expresses, who, when not showcasing cocktails on television, works in the realm of make-up artistry and aspires to create her own make-up line.
‘Every time I witness a family purchasing a box of Quality Street for the holiday season, it brings a smile to my face.
‘We are a family of enthusiastic cooks, and I have a serious sweet tooth.’
What does her parents, Nigel and Georgina, residing in a £1.4 million home in Bath, think of her reality-TV role? ‘When I agreed to participate, I informed my father about the show, and I believe he imagined it would be just one man with a camera following me. Their generation doesn’t quite grasp the concept of reality TV.
‘I suggested my mother watch The Only Way Is Essex and mentioned that our show would be somewhat similar.
‘She found it shocking and deemed it meaningless.
‘However, now that we’re this far along, they are very pleased for me and proud of its success. Before each episode airs, I make it a point to brief them on what to expect to minimize any surprises.
‘They dislike seeing me upset in the show and have occasionally asked if I wanted to leave during particularly difficult moments. But I am committed, and just because it’s challenging, it doesn’t mean I would abandon it.
‘My grandparents watch it on Tuesdays when it airs earlier in the day, and they are very supportive.
‘My grandmother told me, “Oh, I’m so proud to see your face in the Radio Times, darling,” and she suggested I should smile more.’
And concerning her notably daring FHM photoshoot, from which the most modest picture is the primary image on this page?
‘I was at home when it was published, and my father was reading it over my shoulder, which made me feel embarrassed.
‘He didn’t voice any opinions. While he’s not fond of it, he did send the interview to my grandparents, who were displeased with me saying the f-word in the interview.
‘They surprisingly didn’t comment on the photographs whatsoever.’
Millie’s bete noire Rosie
“`A graduate in the history of art from Goldsmiths, Rosie has a grandfather named Brigadier Arthur Henry Grenville Fortescue, who served in the Coldstream Guards during the Second World War, where he sustained injuries, received mentions in dispatches, and was honored with the Military Cross.
Rosie aspires to leverage her television exposure into a fashion career. She manages a blog named atfashionforte.com, where she shares the outfits she showcases on the show.
What are the thoughts of her parents, fine-art consultant Nicholas and Tessa, who reside in a £1 million house near Clapham Common in South London, regarding her television appearances?
‘I don’t watch it with them,’ Rosie explains. ‘I prefer to watch alongside the cast, but they are supportive of me and comprehend the significance of my fashion blog. I would never engage in anything that could put them in an embarrassing position.’
‘Throughout the show, I believe I’ve stayed grounded.’
However, she acknowledges that last week’s disclosure about being the woman Hugo cheated on Millie with has subjected her to online harassment, especially since Made In Chelsea viewers had previously witnessed her hinting to Hugo that Millie had once betrayed him.
‘People tend to jump to conclusions about situations without knowing the complete narrative. I refrain from responding to them on Twitter to defend myself. I aim to preserve my dignity, and they will see everything unfold in a much more composed manner than they anticipate.
‘My relationship with Hugo is purely platonic; there is only a friendly bond between us. He is among my closest friends, and I felt it was necessary to inform him that Millie had cheated on him too because he was so distressed and was not his usual, cheerful self.’
With the current season of Made In Chelsea concluding tomorrow night, Rosie and her fellow cast members remain hopeful for a third season to be greenlighted, along with an exciting feature-length Christmas special to anticipate.
As for Rosie, she asserts that continuing to work with Millie won’t be overly uncomfortable, as they still maintain a friendship. In contrast, Millie views the situation quite differently.
‘She is not my friend. I don’t understand why she claimed we were friends – we are not. During today’s filming, she did something that further confirms she is definitely not my friend.’
Simply put, Rosie – or Hugo – should not expect to find any Quality Street chocolates labeled with affection from Millie under their Christmas tree.
by Lorelle Heath
