Can TV reality show turn raunchy ladette Kelly into this lady?

Byline: By Katie Bodinger South Wales Echo 

Glamour model and former bouncer Kelly Simpson, whose nickname is "Action Barbie", has never been very ladylike. The 26-year-old, from Cardiff, a former Navy engineer and self-confessed party animal, was put through her paces in ITV1 show Ladette to Lady, to be shown next week.

She was one of eight "ladettes" who went to Eggleston Hall Finishing School, where tutors tried to persuade them to change their ways in a crash course in etiquette and manners.

But the former Llanedeyrn High School pupil, who had cosmetic surgery to enhance her bust from a 34AA to 34E, said she had no intention of becoming prim and proper following the programme.

"Just because I have had my boobs done and wear short skirts, doesn't mean I'm not a good person," said the brunette, who is one of seven children.

"You can't judge people on what they look like. I like partying - I'm young and I just want to have fun."

Kelly, who goes clubbing three times a week, left school with 10 GCSEs, joining the Navy at 17. She travelled to the Gulf, gained her small arms gun licence and trained in fire fighting and martial arts. Her good looks and thirst for thrills earned her the nickname "Action Barbie" by her colleagues.

After four years, she left and became a bouncer in some of the city's biggest bars, including Number 10 and Continental in Mill Lane. She can be regularly seen partying with her friends in Liquid, Life, Tiger Tiger and other clubs in the city.

Kelly said her glamorous image had only come about in the past couple of years - she has appeared in glossy magazines such as Maxim, Zoo, Nuts and FHM.

"I've never really been a girly girl until recently," said Kelly, who has been voted Britain's sexiest bouncer by Nuts magazine. "I got scouted by an agency while working as a bouncer two years ago. Since then it has snowballed. I had a boob job because I wanted to feel more feminine. I've started wearing make-up - it makes me feel a lot more confident. It's a complete transformation. I love my image now."

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