Louis Smith lends hand to Next Top Model

(Image credit: PA)

Louis Smith is set to appear on the ninth series of Britain And Ireland's Next Top Model, alongside new judge Dannii Minogue.

The Olympic medal-winning gymnast and Strictly Come Dancing champion will join models Jade Parfitt and Jourdan Dunn to help judges Elle Macpherson and Tyson Beckford on the fashion challenges during the upcoming season.

Dannii said she has enjoyed working with her fellow judges: "Working with Tyson and Elle has been an absolute pleasure, and the level of talent among the girls is astounding. Each girl brings something special to this competition, and I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to mentor them through this series."

Supermodel Elle, who is also an executive producer on the show, added: "I've really enjoyed working with Dannii. She is a powerhouse in fashion and television and this series has benefited from having her perspective on the panel."

Thousands of entrants picked at the auditions, which were held in 17 cities, were whittled down to 14 finalists after going through the Top Model Boot Camp, with finalists including a former Miss Ireland, a hostess at London nightclub The Box, a criminology student and a trainee hairdresser.

The winner of Britain And Ireland's Next Top Model earns a contract with leading modelling agency Models 1, a cover for and feature within Company Magazine, national campaigns with both make-up brand Revlon and hair-care brand TRESemme, and a shopping spree in New York.

The new series of Britain And Ireland's Next Top Model, which was won by Letitia Herod in 2012, begins on Sky Living HD on June 13.

Victoria Wilson
Feature Writer for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and WhatToWatch.com

With over 20 years’ experience writing about TV and film, Vicky currently writes features for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week magazines plus news and watching guides for WhatToWatch.com, a job which involves chatting to a whole host of famous faces. Our Vicky LOVES light entertainment, with Strictly Come Dancing, Britain’s Got Talent and The Voice UK among her fave shows. Basically, if it’s got a shiny floor, she’s all over it! When she’s not watching TV, you might find Vicky in therapy… retail therapy that is!