Penny Lancaster - Models
Summary
"Penny Lancaster-Stewart" (born on March 15, 1971) is an English model and photographer. She is probably best known for her modeling work for designer lingerie brand Ultimo.
Early life & career
Lancaster was brought up by her parents who were both regular gym-goers throughout her childhood encouraging a love of fitness.
At the age of six Lancaster took up dance, learning tap, ballet and modern but decided to quit at the age of 16 due to her height and deciding aerobics would better suit her frame. Six years later Lancaster became a certified fitness trainer. It was during this time when she was spotted by a model scout who suggested she should consider a career in modeling.
Lancaster then also decided to learn about the other side of modeling and began taking photography classes.
Ultimo
In 2002 Lancaster signed up to be the face of designer lingerie brand Ultimo for a reported £200,000. Lancaster was seen to be a success at promoting the brand raising its profile, especially in the UK.
Two years later, however, Lancaster was dropped from the company after her contract ended. A source for the company stated "Penny has got the company some great publicity in the past year, but we felt we needed someone who has a bigger international profile. Penny is a very sexy girl, but isn't known outside England." Shortly after UK tabloids began to reporting that supermodel Rachel Hunter was being lined up as the new face of the company. This created a huge tabloid interest as Lancaster was currently dating singer Rod Stewart who at the time was divorcing Hunter. After it was confirmed that Hunter had signed up newspapers printed pictures of the two modeling the same underwear comparing the two and claiming they were in a bitter feud.
Hunter was quoted as saying "I had to think about it carefully, considering the situation."
Ultimo boss Michelle Mone said that she had always wanted Hunter to model the clothes as her original target, and only went for Lancaster at £200,000 because she was cheaper than the £1million it later cost her to sign Hunter.
Stewart was upset about the way Mone treated Lancaster and launched a verbal attack on her branding her "a manipulative cow" and saying "Penny worked her bloody arse off for Michelle. Michelle's treated her horribly - she is a nasty piece of work. If this drums up more publicity for her bra company I hope Michelle chokes on the profits" and then adding "Anyway, I can't stand her Ultimo stuff."
Both Lancaster and Hunter have reportedly called a truce over the incident.
Strictly Come Dancing
"Main article: Strictly Come Dancing (Series 5)"
After losing her deal with Ultimo, Lancaster created a fitness DVD "Ultimate Body Workout" and did various modeling and photography work including photographing celebrities such as Elton John, Simon Cowell and Lulu for charity calendar PDSA Pet Pawtraits.
In 2007 it was announced Lancaster would be a contestant on the fifth series of the BBC's entertainment dance show Strictly Come Dancing. Lancaster is competing with professional dance partner Ian Waite.
The two have had mixed reactions from the judges. With their first dance, the Quickstep, Lancaster and Waite were given high marks from the judges and Lancaster was compared to Ginger Rogers. The next week, however, their Jive was heavily criticized being referred to as "lumpy". On the third week Lancaster and Waite were left in the bottom two, despite more positive comments from the judges, with Gabby Logan and her partner James Jordan - a result which was heavily criticized by judges and fans alike. Lancaster and Waite were saved receiving 3 votes from the judges.
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Penny Lancaster.
