Leeds Lass Wins The Chance To Shine on TV

November 30, 2004. Katie Houlbrook was announced as the winner of the Pantene Pro-V Spirit of Beauty Contest in association with GMTV, Boots and Premier Model Management at the final hosted by Lorraine Kelly and Amanda Holden earlier this month.

With her natural beauty and bubbly personality it was no wonder that the panel of judges and the public in their thousands voted for Katie to win the Spirit of Beauty accolade. Katie has won the ultimate prize - the leading role in the next Pantene Pro-V TV commercial which will appear on our screens at the end of the year, the chance to present with Lorraine Kelly on GMTV's LK Today and be given the rare introduction to leading agency Premier!

Pantene Pro-V’s new star Katie Houlbrook is 22 years old, a marketing executive from North Yorkshire .

Katie had to come a long way before making it onto the catwalk at the fashion show final filmed by GMTV and hosted by Amanda Holden and Lorraine Kelly. She was initially selected from over 5000 entries and invited to attend the judging heat at Leeds back in September. From the 450 girls seen at the heats in Glasgow , Leeds and London , Katie fought off fierce competition and was short listed down to one of just six finalists!

Along with her five fellow contestants Katie experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity to be preened and polished by a team of experts during October in preparation for her debut on the catwalk at the Grosvenor House Hotel today.

The nation was able to watch the progress of all the girl's transformations weekly on GMTV’s LK Today. Hairdresser, Paul Merritt gave Katie a cutting edge style. Ciona Johnson, make-up artist to the stars, shared her beauty tips, GMTV's stylist Mark Heyes updated Katie’s wardrobe and Dawn Breslin one of the UK's leading life coaches, gave a confidence and wellbeing training course.Katie was also taught the art of moving down the catwalk in a supermodel fashion, by Premier model scout Myra Gonzalez. She also received professional coaching in TV presenting – a must as she’s now got to accompany Lorraine on the sofa!

Katie is now about to embark on her first assignment for Pantene Pro-V, by attending the shoot for her forthcoming advert – be sure to watch Katie shine in the ad on a TV near you soon!

- Ends -

Notes to editors:

The panel of expert judges included:

• Hairdresser Paul Merritt, former manager of Ch4’s The Salon, TV
• Fashion Expert Caryn Franklin
• Life coach Dawn Breslin
• Model scout Myra Gonzalez from Premier Model Management
• Maria Weijers, External Communications Manager at P&G Beauty
• Sophie Hodgkins, Series Producer of GMTV’s LK today
• Dee Butler, Producer of Pantene Pro-V TV ads

The other five finalists were:

• Jax Davies, age 40 from Guildford , Surrey
• Nicola Mahoney, age 22 from Blackburn , Lancs
• Rose Chukukere, age 23 from Brinsworth, Rotherham
• Olivia Midgley, age 19 from Gombersal, Clechaeaton
• Vickie Selvey, age 22 from Glasgow

Voting process:

• Voting took place from the 18 th October - 29 th October via the GMTV, Pantene Pro-V and Heart Fm Websites

Journalists - for further details please contact Good Relations :

Natalie Saunders, Tel 0207 861 3109
email nsaunders@goodrelations.co.uk

Perena Heywood Jones, Tel 020 7861 3152
email: pheywoodjones@goodrelations.co.uk

Jo Scotchmer, Tel. 020 7861 3130
email: jscotchmer@goodrelations.co.uk