CELEBRITY Lisa Snowdon recently helped promote the Isabel Hospice s forthcoming Sunset and Stars Walk. The model, dancer, TV presenter and radio broadcaster has come a long way since her childhood in WGC. But despite her success, the town still holds an i

CELEBRITY Lisa Snowdon recently helped promote the Isabel Hospice's forthcoming Sunset and Stars Walk.

The model, dancer, TV presenter and radio broadcaster has come a long way since her childhood in WGC.

But despite her success, the town still holds an important place in her heart.

Here she talks to Welwyn & Hatfield Times reporter Chris Richards in an exclusive interview.

THE last 12 months has been something of a whirlwind for WGC's Lisa Snowdon.

First she became full-time co-presenter of Capital Radio's Breakfast Show, alongside the inimitable Johnny Vaughan.

Next up, she appeared on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, finishing a credible third.

And currently, you can catch her on the box every week as presenter of hit reality TV show Britain's Next Top Model.

But it is arguably through Strictly that Lisa has become as widely known as she is today.

The 37-year-old model explained why she took part in the show.

"Strictly is amazing for everybody of all ages to get together on a Saturday night," she said.

"Everybody can enjoy it, it is such a fantastic show and that is the reason why I wanted to be involved."

She added: "I wanted to be able to learn to do these dances that I had never attempted before with a professional and to get to wear all the gorgeous gowns - it was a dream come true."

During her time on the show, the Welwyn & Hatfield Times ran a campaign called Save Our Snowdon, encouraging readers to vote to keep her and dance partner Brendan Cole in the competition.

And Lisa, who now lives in Camden, said the campaign had given her a "big boost".

"I really appreciated it," she said.

"It came at a time when I needed it when I had been in the dance off, so it was lovely."

Yet sadly, her hectic work schedule since the show finished has stopped her from keeping up dancing.

"I had every intention after I had finished to go to dancing classes, and it just hasn't happened," she said.

"It is so unfortunate because I know a great place to go to these classes but it is just getting there."

Turning to her role as a breakfast DJ, Lisa said the 6am start didn't present a problem.

"I have always been really good in the morning, which is quite frustrating to my family and friends when I bounce out of bed," she smiled.

And when asked what it was like working alongside Johnny Vaughan, she laughed and replied: "Exhausting!"

Moving onto Britain's Next Top Model, which can currently be seen on Living TV, a passionate Lisa said: "It is exciting that it is gaining momentum.

"More and more people are enjoying it and we are into our fifth series, so it is very exciting.

"I have to say the girls this year are brilliant and the production is really good."

But she can still show aspiring younger models the way and last year she took part in her first lingerie shoot for a decade with Avon.

A modest Lisa said: "I had a little look at my figure and I thought I had better do it now!

"It was for big bras for the bigger cupped woman.

"They [Avon] had some really beautiful designs and I thought it might be my last opportunity to do a flesh-bearing shoot!"

Although Lisa has very little free time, she admitted that when she does, she likes to come back to WGC to see her family.

"I am really close to my family so it is at least once a month, usually twice a month that I get round to my dad's and my nan comes over and we have a barbecue or a roast," she said.

It is clear that WGC also holds some special childhood memories for her.

She said: "Where my dad lives there are a couple of really nice fields nearby, so we always used to go for walks with our dogs and play in the fields."

As for the future, she said: "There are some interesting things in the pipeline.

"There is a documentary series that I want to do, but I can't really say much more."

Beautiful, polite and down to earth, it is impossible not to like Lisa Snowdon and I am sure we will see a lot more of her on our TV screens in years to come.

* The Isabel Hospice's Sunset and Stars Walk takes place in St Margarets tomorrow (Saturday).

For more information about the 9-mile walk go to www.isabelhospice.org.uk