Bald toxic shock girl's misery turns to joy after winning three year modelling contract

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Helena Holmes, 17, from Hull, spent last year's festivities fighting for her life after contracting the dangerous TSS infection last New Year.

Her long brown hair began to fall out during her recovery from the illness and she hid it from friends.

Helena's hair is growing back after suffering from Toxic Shock Syndrome

But when she finally ditched her wig she was spotted by a modelling talent-scout, who offered her a three-year contract.

Helena realised she was ill last New Year while getting ready for a fancy dress party and feeling strong tummy pains.

She spent four days in bed before her mother Gillian, 46, phoned emergency services after spotting a rash.

Medics diagnosed TSS and Helena was told a germ may have got on a tampon when it was being made.

The illness made her lose two stone and her skin peeled. Then, in March, Helena's hair began to fall out in clumps.

Helena has now landed a 3-year modelling contract

She said: "I looked like something out of a horror movie. I didn't leave the house because I was so embarrassed."

She was told by doctors she was suffering an allergic reaction to the illness or the treatment. Fearing baldness, Helena wore a wig for three months before her friends persuaded her that she looked better without it.

She took a summer holiday with friends and while away met a modelling agent at the side of the hotel pool.

She said: "Everyone was really positive about my lack of hair and I was getting more confident again.

"Then this girl asked me if I had ever thought about modelling. She told me she worked for an agency and said they would be interested."

Helena took the business card and sent some shots with her new look to the agency. A few days later they offered her a three-year contract.

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Helena, centre, with her friends who persuaded her to stop wearing her wig, in picture, and adopt the cropped style which won her a modelling contract

Helena, whose hair is now growing back steadily, is keeping her hair short and is due to do her first modelling shoot - before working full-time when she finishes her A-Levels.

She added: "I can't believe that something so bad has turned into one of the best opportunities of my life.

"I hope other people who lose hair through illnesses like cancer realise it's not the end of the world.

"You think your hair is the key to your personality and that without it you are nothing, but I like to think it allowed the inner me to shine."