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April 2004
Unclothed: Chantel Gaynor

Chantel Gaynor

In this series of features, we talk to people who take their clothes off in public.

First up is Chantel Gaynor, the glamour model who unwittingly became a local celebrity last summer.

When Belper's Chantel Gaynor was handed £50 to give to a charity of her choice after winning a Daily Sport modelling contest, little did she know what a storm it would cause.

Her chosen charity was the Derbyshire Children's Hospital but bosses turned down the donation saying they couldn't accept the money because the competition was exploitative.

The decision sparked a national debate over whether the hospital could afford to be so choosy about donations - with a shell-shocked Chantel Gaynor at the heart of the story.

Looking back on the fuss, Chantel said she enjoyed the exposure but was disappointed that it didn't lead to more job opportunities.

Chantel in modelling pose

She said: "The exposure didn't really lead to an increase in job offers. No-one likes me!

"I thought I would have got more work - even voluntary work. It's not all about money, it's good being able to have a laugh as well.

One of the highlights of that period was an appearance on the Richard Littlejohn show on Sky News.

She explained: "I was on with an old lady who was totally against glamour modelling and she was like 'blah, blah, blah'. I'm surprised I didn't butt in more but I didn't want to interrupt her when she was making her point. It was just that her point went on all show!

"But I did get to go round London and put on the make-up so it was good fun really."

Now the fuss has died down, Chantel has continued combining the modelling work with her other job as a mobile nail technician.

She said: "If I've got a photoshoot booked in then I'll book nails for a different day because it normally takes a whole day up.

"I do topless shoots, I do a lot of artwork for universities, photography work and also fetish. Everyone thinks 'oh fetish' like it's really bad but it isn't! It's fun being able to try on different types of clothing - sometimes it's nicer to have clothes on! - and you get to play with the different apparatus."

Chantel began her modelling career seven years ago as a fresh-faced 16-year-old.

She said: "My friend got me into it at first. She took me to a studio in Nottingham and got me into it like that. Then she went off on the track she went on and I went off pretty much on my own. It was her that got me going and the work came from there really."

Chantel in conversation

"My friends were happy for me. My boyfriend was the worst one - of course! He's learnt to deal with it. He's not happy but he's OK.

"My mum and dad are fine with it as long as I'm not doing anything bad - and we all know what that is!"

It was in the early part of her modelling career that Chantel first became aware of some of the bad eggs who try to take advantage of naive young models.

She said: "When I was 16, I went to a studio and did a photo-shoot with no camera. It was a total scam! A lot of younger people went on their own but really you're meant to take a parent or friend so you feel safer.

"But this guy turned out to be a bad guy. It's funny now but it wasn't at the time. He got dealt with by the law. When I came out of the building, younger girls were going in. They'd just replied to an advert. That was my first lesson - make sure there's a camera!"

The other thing Chantel has had to deal with is people trying to encourage her to do more explicit work..

She said: "I've had offers to do porn - magazines and videos. But my mum and dad wouldn't be too happy if I did that. But the money!

"Even if I was tempted, if it got out it would be like 'oh no!'. I suppose it would be OK if it only went abroad but even then someone could be over there and bring it back. You have to be careful."

Chantel has also avoided the temptation to have her looks surgically altered to improve her career prospects.

It's raining!

"I'm totally natural and I don't have any plans for surgery. Maybe if you had a guarantee of getting what you wanted at the end of it then it'd be worth considering but I wouldn't jump off a cliff unless you're guaranteed to be caught at the bottom of it.

"Unless there was something seriously wrong with me, I wouldn't consider having anything done. It could go wrong - and it has with some people!"

Instead Chantel stays in shape by horseriding - and her ambition is to eventually own her own ranch in the US.

She explained: "I still live with my family but I'd love to move to America - maybe Canada. I'd love to own my own ranch there and build my family life over there."

Critics of glamour modelling often call the industry exploitative and say it degrades women - but Chantel doesn't agree.

She said: "I love it because it's a different challenge every day. There are a couple of Derby girls who do more than I do. I stopped at a line and said I wasn't going to go any further. They go on the top shelf but I prefer to be a few shelves down, it's perhaps more classy.

"I'm not saying top shelf is tacky but I couldn't do it because of who I know and where I live. I'd feel degraded. The stuff I do is fun."

So would Chantel recommend modelling to any younger girls thinking of starting out?

She said: "I would recommend it but I'd point out that it does cost you to get started. You have to pay to get your first photos done and it's all on CD now so you also have to pay for processing.

"If you get picked up by someone who really likes you and wants to help you get set up then that's fine but it's hard. It's very competitive."

And Chantel has already started thinking about what she'll do when she becomes too old for modelling.

She said: "I'll know when to quit. When they stop talking about you, that's when to stop! It's obviously a short-lived thing. When models finish they often go into TV work, radio and advertising so I'd like to do something like that. something different."

And her view of her career so far?

"She said: "You either make it or you don't. But I'm sort-of in the middle because I haven't made it but it's not like I haven't achieved anything.

"I am making steady progress - although by the time I get there, I'll probably be out of date! But at least I can say I've had fun along the way."

Interview by Gavin Bevis

Your comments on this story

I say never stop doing something you love because of someone has a different belief system..enjoy your life and your beauty inside and out.
Salina ID

you should consider making a website.. great looking gal..local to me too!! all the best for the future.. phil.
phil, kilburn

Is that the 'tennis' James Foulk?
Andy belper

You go girl, with your looks, confidence, sensible head you might make into soaps like Corrie star and former model Tracey Shaw another Belper-ite! You are right to stay away from the sleazy work, as once you get famous somebody is bound to dig up some bad stuff from the past. Another way forward for you (as David Morrel says) is an internet homepage to promote yourself further, and you don't really want to move around alone in the modelling business. See you around, on my return to Belper in the summer!
James (Work in Abu Dhabi - U.A.E) Born in Belper,

Mmmmm Burbery
Ian, Chesterfield

Gav, get a proper job!!!!!!
Micky Sheehan

I can sympathise with Chantal. Most models feel pressured into doing 'Glamour'. I am a keen photographer and enjoy portrait and fashion shoots, but, as a father, I would be horrified if my daughter was asked to do such work when she reaches 16. As Chantal comments I wouldn't want to produce work that my grandmother wouldn't be comfortable with. My advice to her would be to set up an internet homepage for promotion and to continue to take along a friend to assignments - most genuine photographers wouldn't object to this. Good luck
David Morrell, Derby

Her "chat" photos are nicer than the modelling ones, im my opinion :)
tim, derby

hiya ;)
Andrew Warwick, Derby

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