Disabled models disrobe in Sheen for TV show

8:30pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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Eyebrows were raised in Sheen as a set of disabled models unrobed to pose in a lingerie shop window as part of a new TV show.

Lingerie boutique Sheen Uncovered in Upper Richmond Road West, East Sheen, was picked as the location by a crew working on Britain's Missing Top Model.

“It caused quite a stir in Sheen with the models being filmed in the shop window. Everyone from shoppers to builders stopped to see what was going on. We had quite a few questions at the time and since.”

Anita Kane

The BBC Three show, part of the channel's beauty season, copies the format of popular US show America's Next Top Model but with a twist - the contestants are disabled.

Among the show's contenders are Debbie van der Putten, a 22-year-old Dutch researcher who lost her right arm in a bus accident and Sophie Morgan who was paralysed from the chest down in a car crash.

The show sees contestants set various assignments and one unlucky model is sent home by the judges each episode.

In an episode due to be broadcast next Tuesday the women were asked to pose in the Sheen store clad only in their underwear.

According to the shop's bosses Jackie Upton and Anita Kane, who launched the business in 1999, filming the episode was great fun.

Anita explained they decided to agree to the production team's request because the store prides itself on finding the correctly fitting bra for all types of women.

"We size women who have had mastectomies, so we thought that the show really fitted with who we are," said Anita.

"It caused quite a stir in Sheen with the models being filmed in the shop window. Everyone from shoppers to builders stopped to see what was going on. We had quite a few questions at the time and since."

Anita, who says she a fan of the show, said she thought the filming provided a great opportunity to show Sheen's community spirit.

"It's good to have some happy news. You hear so much about petrol prices and other negative things that it's good for the community to have something happy happen here. People in Sheen will be able to watch the show and see something they recognise."

• The episode is due to be broadcast on BBC Three on July 8 at 9pm.