Edinburgh girl to feature in Britain's Next Top Model

Simone Murphy, 22, from Edinburgh, who is a contestant on the forthcoming series of Britain's Next Top Model. Picture; contributed

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But now Simone Murphy has bucked the trend, and has confirmed she will be appearing in the top talent show when it launches next month.

The 22-year-old, an events manager from Edinburgh, will be seen competing alongside 11 other contestants for a top modelling contract and a series of other prizes.

Her posing techniques will be judged by model Abbey Clancy, a former contestant and series runner-up, male model Paul Sculfor, fashion writer Hilary Alexander and celebrity photographer Nicky Johnston.

Simone, who has had a string of modelling jobs in and around Edinburgh, tweeted: “Catch me on @BNTMUK from mid march on @LifetimeTelly. Are you Team Simone?”

Simone is the only Scottish contestant to make it to the final 12, and has described herself as a “party girl heavily influenced by the Flower Power movement in the 70s”.

She is a vegan and has spent the last three summers working in Ibiza.

She has also revealed her celebrity crush is Scott Disick – Kourtney Kardashian’s boyfriend – and that her favourite model is Rose Smith.

Each week, viewers will be given the chance to watch the hopefuls participate in a range of photoshoots and challenges to determine whether they have what it takes to become the country’s top model.

Lynne McCrossan, an Edinburgh fashion writer who has previously worked with Simone, said: “Simone is incredibly dynamic.

“She looks great in everything she wears and she is the nicest, charismatic girl you could ever meet.

“She’s been modelling for a couple of years around Scotland. Britain’s Next Top Model will be great for her, I think it’ll be a launch pad on to greater things.”

Simone describes her look as “strong and androgynous with a symmetrical face, big eyes, big brows and high cheekbones”. She says that her favourite feature is her eyebrows.

This year, the show will feature its first ever transgender contestant, Talulah-Eve Brown, who is a beauty queen from Birmingham.

The 22-year-old describes her look as instantly recognisable and versatile, and believes she can win the competition because there is no one like her.

Abbey Clancy said: “I’m so excited to be returning for the second series on Lifetime.

“These girls are really pushed to the limit in a series of testing shoots and challenges.

“Expect tears, tantrums, triumphs and surprise departures.”

In 2009, Ashley Brown from Armadale, West Lothian, shot to fame when she finished fourth on the show. The mum-of-two, and her children, are now well known for outstanding Taekwondo skills.

Britain’s Next Top Model starts on March 16 at 9pm on Lifetime TV.