People and Personalities

Former Hastingsbury Upper School pupil Sharee is one of 33 hopefuls, chosen from thousands of young women who entered the national competition for the chance to win a professional modelling contract.

The 20-year-old fashion student will now have to take to the catwalk and impress the judges at the final, to be held in London on March 27.

Sharee is determined to get into the modelling industry and she hopes that this competition will be her big break.

She told the BBC: "I would love to be a model but it's so hard to get in to.

"I've done a little bit of modelling and I was in Miss Bedfordshire last year, but I've not done anything major – just some promotional work and a few beauty pageants, so this is an amazing opportunity for me!"

After submitting her photos and successfully getting through the first selection process, Sharee was asked to attend an interview in London with 80 other hopefuls – including a photo shoot wearing just her underwear and no make up!

"It was certainly a bit scary walking up and down in front of complete strangers in just my underwear" said Sharee  "My Dad came with me – I'm not sure what he made of it all though!"

Sharee had obviously impressed the judges and soon received a phone call telling her she had made it through to the final!

"I was so shocked" said Sharee "I really, really didn't expect to get through!

"I am nervous about the final but excited as well because I've always wanted to do a proper catwalk show."

Listen to the full interview with Sharee here:

The final takes place at Porchester Hall in Notting Hill, London. The winner will receive a year's modelling contract with top London and Paris agencies, a professional photo shoot, and a weekend away for two.

There is a public text vote and the model with the most votes will also receive a prize.  Text messages cost £1, plus the standard network fee, with all profits going to breast cancer charity Walk the Walk.