Emma bows out of Top Model contest

But despite being runner-up out of 28 finalists, Emma Ward’s feet are firmly on the ground.

The final was aired last night showing Emma just missing out on the top prize, but she is delighted to have got so far, and thrilled with the support from her home town.

“It’s been really weird. I auditioned twice and never made it through before so all my family and I were shocked I even got in. Nobody thought I’d get that far,” said the 20-year-old call centre worker.

Viewers have watched Emma impress judges Elle Macpherson, Dannii Minogue and Tyson Beckford over the past 12 weeks.

“Tyson was really rooting for me even in the final but I watched the show back and it doesn’t seem that way!”

And while she may seem to be a world away from her Spen Valley roots as she is seen striking poses in Barbados, in real-life she has returned to her job at the Arlington Business Centre in Morley.

She had been heard complaining about her work so often she said people on Twitter have made a drinking game. They drink every time Emma mentions “call centre” on the popular Sky Living show.

Emma said: “It’s been awkward going back to work. But people have said ‘well done’ and been supportive.”

While she remains good humoured when people make jokes about how she appears on the show, she said social media could also have a nasty side.

“I have had to try stop searching my name as people have been calling me ugly,” she said.

The young model who has remained unsure of herself throughout the process said she was quite scared about her next career move.

“I am looking for an agency. I have just got to leap into modelling now and give it a go,” she said.

Emma is hoping to move down to London with fellow contestant Sarah Kennedy if they can find agents there.

“It’s my big dream to be a working full-time model, I am going to aim high,” she said.

But for now Emma is enjoying her life away from the highly-pressured show though she will be meeting up with with fellow contestants such as Batley’s Saffron Williams at Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model Live.

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