Snog Marry Avoid was an iconic BBC TV show that saw people enter a POD for a make-under, and one contestant looks completely different these days as she's had a glow-up

Many will remember Snog Marry Avoid as an iconic yet brutal TV show on the BBC that gave people 'make-unders' rather than makeovers. It ran from 2008 to 2013 and was a mainstay of daytime television.

Contestants stepped into POD – the Personal Overhaul Device – and were ripped to shreds as much as daytime TV would allow, told they looked awful and wore too much fake tan or make-up, or that their clothes were inappropriate if they wanted to be taken seriously.

They were then judged by the British public, who said whether they'd snog, marry, or avoid the person. This, of course, led many contestants to defend the extra way they look, including Sophie Bow, who now boasts 48,000 followers on social media.

Sophie, 33, shared on her TikTok account @sophiebowsfashion that she went on Snog Marry Avoid as a teenager. It was 14-long years ago, so she'd almost "forgotten" she'd done it.

However, she acknowledged that appearing on the show "changed the direction" of her life. Sophie said it was an "amazing experience," but did say that it was "embarrassing" at the same time.

She played a throwback clip to see whether she could "survive the cringe" – and her mouth was immediately over her mouth in shock at her old self.

It's safe to say that Sophie looks completely different these days, opting for a completely toned-down shade of blonde hair, compared to the yellow-toned bleach of the past.

Her skintone is also significantly less orange than it was when she was 19, and her lips now lack the frosted pink lipstick of the time. She now opts for a brown ombre liner with a lighter lipstick shade, which is much more 2026.

POD did refer to her as an "incredibly pretty girl," to which she responded, "Thank you, POD," and as she was watching it 14 years later, she blew a kiss for the compliment.

POD then asked the public whether they'd snog, marry, or avoid Sophie, and, like most contestants, people said they'd avoid her, even though she thought everyone would snog her.

"I'd probably avoid her, she looks a lot like a Barbie doll," one man said, but Sophie was still taking that as a compliment these days, joking: "I am a Barbie doll".

Another man said she looked "dangerous" – and rather than taking it as an offence, Sophie screamed, "Woo, dangerous!"

POD then shared it was her mum, dad, boyfriend, both her nans and all her friends who wanted her to get the make-under, and you could tell she was reticent to change her ways.

Reaction

Many people said they "loved" watching the show and wish the BBC would bring it back.

However, others think promoting "make-unders" isn't a positive thing. After all, our differences are what make us unique!

In the comments, someone fumed: "I hated that show. It pushed the message that the only way to be accepted by society is to be bland and basic."