A woman who was told she was too curvy to make it as a lingerie model is poised to make her magazine debut.

Curvy: Francoise Boufhal will make her cover debut

Francoise Boufhal has been signed by England and Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand to front his new magazine #5.

Francoise, from Newcastle, was picked from hundreds of other hopefuls after she impressed Ferdinand during her interview.

Impressive: Francoise caught the eye of Ferdinand

The 20-year-old, who measures up with a 28H chest, said: "People see me and think "oh here we go, another girl with big boobs trying to make it", but that's far from the truth.

"I'm a curvaceous woman who represents the many others out there who have struggled to make a successful modelling career with an unusual figure.

"I love modelling and will continue to shake what my Mama gave me, but television presenting is where my heart lies."

Role model: Francoise says she is proud of her body

Her new role led to close encounters with comedian Alan Carr, actor Danny Dyer and footballer Ashley Cole, who is married to fellow Geordie and Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.

Francoise said: "I interviewed Danny Dyer, who tried to eat my microphone, and Ashley Cole, who I met at Rio's launch party.

"I was secretly checking over his shoulder to see if Cheryl was in tow, since we're both from Newcastle and were voted 'the prettiest babies in the MetroCentre', and I thought we'd have loads to chat about.

"But we were left to our own devices and he told me my accent was even stronger than Cheryl's!"

Muse: Francoise will model the Glamour Bunny line

A dressmaker who remortgaged her house to set up her own fashion company has made a series of dresses especially for Francoise.

Former art student Gerry Roxby said the model was perfect for her Glamour Bunny line.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two, of Birtley, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, created the range after failing to find clothes to suit her buxom figure.

Vital statistics: Francoise measures up with a 28H chest

Roxby, whose husband Michael and children Penny, 11 and Joe, 13, are all fully behind the business said: "Every dress I tried on just didn't have any room for my best assets so, after finally giving up my search I took out the equity from my house and created Glamour Bunny to produce my own line.

"As I am heavily inspired by the sleek glamour of the 50s, most of my designs have a very retro feel.

"I wanted to design dresses for women who had curves to show, and she's that."

New venture: Rio Ferdinand is launching a magazine

The #5 magazine, which concentrates on music, fashion, film and sport, was launched in April at www.rioferdinand.com Francoise makes her debut tomorrow.