South

In 2003 we secretly filmed a talent event in Portsmouth.

They photographed our undercover reporter and told her she could make it as a model. Then they took her cash, but didn’t find her any work.

The man behind the company was Jamie Randall.

In the past he’s been creative with his adverts and was ticked off by industry watchdogs for not warning people costs might be incurred.

Natasha's family paid Jamie Randall £170

SW1 Talent Management

Recently he’s advertising again - this time his company’s called SW1 Talent Management - but again no mention of costs.

Nine-year-old Natasha and her family went to an event in November 2008… but, three months later, all they have to show for their £170 fee is some photographs and Natasha's picture on the SW1 website.

A face for radio

Inside Out decided to test Jamie Randall’s charging policies.

We enlisted the help of a man with the 'perfect face for radio'… Radio Solent’s Jon Cuthill.

He slapped on the fake tan and set off for an audition at a Bournemouth hotel.

Has Jon got what it takes?

His first set of mugshots suggest he’s not suitable for SW1’s £180 gold modelling membership… but that he’s OK for silver membership and that should offer up work as a film and TV extra.

Part of the service he’s asked to pay £130 for includes a photo session.

The law says agencies can't insist you use their photographic services.

Upfront charges

The law says that talent agencies should not charge upfront fees for their work finding services and the Government has promised to tighten the laws on talent agencies.

Jamie Randall told Inside Out that he’s not committing any offences.

He says SW1 isn’t an employment agency at all, but a membership club. The fees charged are for membership.

But two days after being confronted by Inside Out at another of his events, Mr Randall told a campaigner, that he'd stop charging upfront fees.

SW1's website now states that people can apply for membership by sending a CV and photographs.

And a £35 charge would only be taken once a person was found work.