Charley Speed chats about judging Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model...
As the second series of the popular reality show hits the small screen next week, we'll see Elle 'the body' MacPherson, the stunning Grace Woodward, outspoken designer Julien MacDonald and male model Charley Speed search for the next big name in modelling - making and breaking the hearts of thousands of young hopefuls up and down the country.
"The biggest change this year is we go on the road and go to lots of individual cities for auditions. Through that process you get to see more of us and get to know a bit more about us with regards to the street castings that we do and individual scouting missions," Charley Speed tells FemaleFirst.
"It's really great because we have so much more invested in it now, we've seen so many girls and all the girls that get put through are all down to us."
Last year Charley was looking for an edgy, editorial model. Now he's back with an open mind to find a genuine, fresh talent. Though he can't be too specific about the challenges awaiting the contestants, he promises that they are 'just as good, if not a little bit better than last year.'
Charley recalls: "I think that we ended up with some very, very good girls - genuinely good girls. I don't want to say that they're that much better than last year, because that's not fair but our final few girls, as you'll see as it progresses, are absolutely awesome and all very different, which is what made it so difficult. They all had such great potential."
People that have longevity in the industry now are intelligent and that much more honest
"One of the amazing things about the programme is watching these rough diamonds just blossom into completely different girls," he continues.
So what is it that makes for model potential?
"I think there is the obvious thing about physical attributes. There's things like height and striking looks, not necessarily commercial good looks, but just something about them - there's something about attitude, it's the whole package."
"You can't put your finger on it and I'm not saying it's about having a certain factor - it's about having something that nobody else has got and you just can't put your finger on it," Charley laughs.
The most exciting part of the Next Top Model process for Charley is the auditioning. He believes it might be because as judges they are there from the beginning and watching the girls grow over time is hugely satisfying.
As a popular show all over the world, Charley feels it is important for Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model to use the show as a platform for showcasing changes and diversity in the notoriously strict modelling industry.
He explains: "You are starting to see different shapes on the catwalk, finally, thankfully. We've been less strict in the criteria of shapes that we let through. We're trying to champion different shapes and different looks this year as well doing the stereotypical look, I think it's important.
"Because of the judges that we have on the panel, because of their reputation, I hope we have the power to make some changes."
As a successful model, rubbing shoulders with the legendary Kate Moss, working for Calvin Klein and Tom Ford at Gucci, Charley knows the industry well. He also knows that criticism can be crippling: "Sometimes you take it a lot more personally one day and the next day it goes straight over your head, because you know essentially you're just there to sell a brand."
The best advice Mr Speed can give the girls is to be social and always carry a good book and music as being on the road can get lonely. Luckily for the girls, the four judges gel well together to offer them all sides to the story. _07,11.jpg)
"It's not a conscious decision to all be completely different, it's just us... Elle has been involved with this show for such a long time and she has seen so many different styles over the years, that's why she has such a good eye. She's also very nuturing and very warm to the girls, which is very important to make sure they're ok."
"I'd like to think that we're all approachable, I know that Julien can seem a bit harsh and Grace is very very forthright and she should be because that's what it's about...You'll see I have a little Q&A session with the girls just to let them air their grievances and their worries and just to let them know it's all good and give them a hand," Charley continues.
Though there have been undoubted developments in the industry since Charley first took to the runway in his teens, including the pace with which trends change and the use of social media, personality is still just as important as it ever was.
"You may have great looks but you have to have something about you, you have to be interesting because clients are going to have to want to work with you. There could be a whole room of guys and girls with great looks but you've got to have that much more. People that have longevity in the industry now are intelligent and that much more honest," he explains.
Although Charley can't share too much with us regarding his upcoming projects he assures us he has more television work in the pipeline. He will say it's nothing to do with fashion, but working on other passions of his.
I'm sure ladies will just be glad to be seeing more of him on the box!
Britain & Ireland’s Next Top Model returns to Sky Living on Mondays from 4 July at 9pm.
FemaleFirst Jenna Fordie
twitter: @Jenna_FAM