Super size star Velvet D'Amour

Velvet D'Amour is primarily a fashion photographer but she is most well known for her appearance as a plus-size model in Jean-Paul Gaultier and John Galliano spring collections in 2006 where she walked the runway weighing approximately 21 stone in a size 28.

In response to the skinny model debate, Velvet says;

"The general reason one gets as to why there is not more representation of curvier folks within modern media is that inclusion would be equivalent to acceptance, and acceptance would then equal condoning, which would mean they support alleged ill health.

The odd dichotomy is that whilst people like myself are banned due to the purported notion we will somehow 'promote' being unhealthy, we are besieged with media saturated with imagery of Britney Spears, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss and Lindsay Lohan. How these women represent good health is somewhat beyond me."

Velvet also appeared in the title role of Avida, the 2006 French film and was a judge in the Paris edition of Mo'nique's hit reality show Fat Chance, the first beauty pageant for plus sized women.

Velvet is currently appearing in La Ferme Célébrités en Afrique - a French reality TV show similar to I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.