Bingo Wings competition reaches climax
(PRESS RELEASE) -- Meet the ten lucky ladies hoping cash in on their fuller figures when they battle it out to become Britain's first ever 'Bingo Wings Idol'.
Bingo comparison website Unluckyforsome.co.uk is seeking a curvy lady to be the face – and arms - of their new "Show Us Your Bingo Wings!" advertising campaign.
The finalists include a former catwalk model, an underwear model who has shared the limelight with Katie Price, and a film extra who has worked as a body double for Dawn French and Fern Britton.
The Unlucky For Some team advertised online and in job centres across the UK for a "grossly overweight" lady with a "huge personality" to star in their campaign.
More than 200 larger than life ladies threw their hats into the ring and now a shortlist of ten lucky finalists have been invited to attend a selection day at a secret venue in London on 24 September.
And the team behind the campaign are throwing the competition open to the media – in case any brave reporters would like to see how their bingo wings measure up.
A spokesman for Unluckyforsome.co.uk said: "This is purely a fun event but our winner will become the face and arms of our website and will be featured in all our advertising and promotional material.
"We are sick of stick thin models and we are sure we aren't alone. We wanted a real woman to front our campaign and we are delighted that so many ladies came forward and answered our call.
"We thought it would be fun to offer any brave journalists the chance to have a go at our selection day and put their bingo wings to the test so please come and have a go!"
Not only will the winner receive a cash prize they will also be filmed for a television commercial which may be shown around the world.
The ten lucky finalists are:
Adele Gregory, 37, from London.
"I am a fun, out-going mum. I run a drama and dance social awareness troupe in London."
Emma Louise Dunn, 22, from Poole
"I have modeled underwear with Katie Price and been on the Trisha Goddard show to promote larger people. I am fun, honest, hard working and reliable. I have a range of talents and like to achieve the best I can. I am always learning new skills. Everything I put my mind to I try to achieve."
Helen Hadjipantelis, 48, from London
"I am outgoing, bubbly, confident, vivacious and live every day as if it is my last. I have a laugh and enjoy myself as much as I can. I am a voluptuous woman and am very comfortable and confident about my size. I have a larger than life personality and am a "people person". Most of my friends would describe me as "a happy go lucky, bubbly person who has fun" and I give 100% in whatever I do."
Iliana Flade, 38, from London
"I'm big, bubbly and bendy!"
Joanne Abbott, 50, from London.
"I'm Polish by birth, but have spent 30 years in England. I have worked as a body double for both Dawn French and Fern Britton. My body was used with Fern Britton's head to publicise the Soap Awards in 2006."
Joycelyn Phillips, 36, from London
"I am an experienced fashion and catwalk model having worked for everyone from Versace swimwear to Vivienne Westwood press shows. I'm now a plus-size model and music manager."
Julie Boddy, 42, from Sheffield
"I slept for 20 years of my professional life working as an accountant. Woke up two years ago and invested in lots of property. Now I run my own property sourcing business and looking to expand life outside work and find the real me. I'm an eternal optimist and excited by new opportunities."
Kim Gapper, 44, from London
"I have O level grade C in drama and I have done amateur dramatics. The first year I played 'Doc', in the 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'. The following year because I had performed so well I was given the leading role of 'Cinderella'. In my heart I have always wanted to be an actress and this year I have decided to follow my desires and make it my profession. Another love of mine is dancing. I have silver medals in ballroom and Latin American dancing and I am an advanced salsa dancer. I am an outgoing confident person who is used to working on my own and as part of a team. I am an enthusiastic and adaptive individual with a great sense of humour. My firm but sympathetic nature enhances my excellent communication skills and my vast experiences enables me to meet fresh challenges."
Rebecca Barrow, 22, from London.
"I am student at Bournemouth university doing Bsc in environmental and conservation biology. in the past I was a member of Bournemouth ballet company and a member RAD and ISTD dance school I danced for 12 years and went to many summer school for acting and dance related topics. I love entertaining people on both small and large scale. I am not a stereo typical 20 year old actor I am a larger more vibrant one. I am a true indication of what the `normal` population may look like in a crowd, and in today's society."
Tracy Morgan, 35, from Cardiff
"I'm a chubbyish girl, very outgoing and could talk a glass eye to sleep. I want to be a part of something that is different from what I do all day - the things that we all do eat, sleep, work, loving time. I want an adventure, I think there is nothing left to discover in the world any more. So any change is new for me I live in Wales, not far from Cardiff. I have two cats but I don't want to be a crazy cat lady that smells of pee. I am a lab technician in a dairy. You have no idea how much hard work goes into milk, we make milk for all over Britain. The next time you buy milk it may have been me that tested it."