Abbey Clancy is a much harsher judge than she thought she'd be on 'Britain's Next Top Model'.

Abbey Clancy

Abbey Clancy

The 29-year-old star competed on the second cycle of the programme and has since enjoyed a successful modelling and fashion designing career.

The next series of the show sees Abbey judge alongside Hilary Alexander, Paul Sculfor and Nicky Johnston, but the mother-of-two was surprised by her own brutal judging style.

She told Britain's InStyle magazine: "I've actually been harsher than I thought I would be. The production team have been like, "Bloody hell, Abbey, we didn't think you were going to be so tough", but I have been.

"It's something that's really close to my heart because it's where I started, and I want them [the contestants] to take it seriously. I'm just trying to drum into them that this is a massive opportunity."

Abbey is married to Premiership footballer Peter Crouch, but insists she loves her career and wouldn't enjoy being a stay at home mother to their two daughters.

She continued: "The fact is, I don't have to work. Pete earns enough for the two of us. But I like to work. I like to contribute and get involved. I'd be bored to death [not working]. I'd hate it!

"Everyone I know works. I like earning money, I like being independent and I like the fact I can provide for my family and brothers and sisters and mum. That's what I work for. That gives me the greatest pleasure."

'Britain's Next Top Model' premieres on Lifetime on 14 January at 9pm.