"Bingo Wings Idol 2009" winner announced
(PRESS RELEASE) -- After a rigorous selection procedure Iliana Flade, 38, from London, has been named winner of the "Show Us Your Bingo Wings" competition organised by bingo comparison website UnluckyForSome.co.uk.
Iliana fought off competition from over 200 applicants to win the coveted title and will now be the face, and arms, of an international marketing campaign for the website www.UnluckyForSome.co.uk.
Applicants were whittled down to ten finalists who then attended a final casting session at a secret London location on Thursday.
The finalists included 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 competition which was the first of its kind was born out of UnluckyForSome's desire to feature a real woman in their advertising campaign as opposed to a stick thin model.
A spokesman for the website said: "We were sick of stick thin models and were sure we weren'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.
"All we asked for was that the winner had a bubbly personality and was a larger than life character.
"We knew that asking for overweight or obese applicants was a bit risqué as it had never been done before but we wanted a woman who acknowledged her size and was totally happy with it."
Actress Iliana, who describes herself as big, bubbly and bouncy says she entered the competition as she thought it would be a good laugh.
Iliana said: "I've always been a big girl but it doesn't bother me at all. Having seen the advert for the competition I thought I would be perfect for the role, plus the fact that I love a game of bingo really helps.
"I was delighted when I was told I had made it to the final but my main aim was to just turn up and enjoy myself.
"It was a really fun day and meeting the other finalists was great. Seeing so many larger than life women in one room was a real breath of fresh air.
"I really believe that the most important thing is to just be happy with yourself and not to be what other people tell you you should be."
Now Iliana is relishing the opportunity to start her role as UnluckForSome brand ambassador.
Iliana will receive £1,000 prize money as well as being given a £100,000 (pro rata) contract.
Iliana said: "I never in a million years thought I would win the competition especially as all of the other contestants were so great. I can't wait to get started!"