celebforum - Penny Lancaster

Penny Lancaster-Stewart (born on March 15, 1971) is an English model and photographer. She is probably best known for her modeling work for designer lingerie brand Ultimo. She is married to rock singer Rod Stewart, and is well known for her height, standing 6ft 1 inch (186cm) barefoot and around 6ft 4 inch (193cm) in heels

Early life & career

Lancaster was brought up by her parents who were both regular gym-goers throughout her childhood encouraging a love of fitness. At the age of six Lancaster took up dance, learning tap, ballet and modern but decided to quit at the age of 16 due to her height and deciding aerobics would better suit her frame. Six years later Lancaster became a certified fitness trainer. It was during this time when she was spotted by a model scout who suggested she should consider a career in modeling. Lancaster then also decided to learn about the other side of modeling and began taking photography classes.

Ultimo

In 2002 Lancaster signed up to be the face of designer lingerie brand Ultimo for a reported £200,000. Lancaster was seen to be a success at promoting the brand raising its profile, especially in the UK.

Two years later, however, Lancaster was dropped from the company after her contract ended. A source for the company stated "Penny has got the company some great publicity in the past year, but we felt we needed someone who has a bigger international profile. Penny is a very sexy girl, but isn't known outside England." Shortly after UK tabloids began to reporting that supermodel Rachel Hunter was being lined up as the new face of the company. This created a huge tabloid interest as Lancaster was currently dating singer Rod Stewart who at the time was divorcing Hunter. After it was confirmed that Hunter had signed up newspapers printed pictures of the two modeling the same underwear comparing the two and claiming they were in a bitter feud. Hunter was quoted as saying "I had to think about it carefully, considering the situation."

Ultimo boss Michelle Mone said that she had always wanted Hunter to model the clothes as her original target, and only went for Lancaster at £200,000 because she was cheaper than the £1million it later cost her to sign Hunter.

Stewart was upset about the way Mone treated Lancaster and launched a verbal attack on her branding her "a manipulative cow" and saying "Penny worked her bloody arse off for Michelle. Michelle’s treated her horribly — she is a nasty piece of work. If this drums up more publicity for her bra company I hope Michelle chokes on the profits" and then adding "Anyway, I can’t stand her Ultimo stuff."

Both Lancaster and Hunter have reportedly called a truce over the incident.

Strictly Come Dancing

Main article: Strictly Come Dancing (Series 5)

After losing her deal with Ultimo, Lancaster created a fitness DVD Ultimate Body Workout and did various modeling and photography work including photographing celebrities such as Elton John, Simon Cowell and Lulu for charity calendar PDSA Pet Pawtraits.

In 2007 it was announced Lancaster would be a contestant on the fifth series of the BBC's entertainment dance show Strictly Come Dancing. Lancaster is competing with professional dance partner Ian Waite. The two have had mixed reactions from the judges. With their first dance, the Quickstep, Lancaster and Waite were given high marks from the judges and Lancaster was compared to Ginger Rogers. The next week, however, their Jive was heavily criticized being referred to as lumpy. On the third week Lancaster and Waite were left in the bottom two, despite more positive comments from the judges, with Gabby Logan and her partner James Jordan - a result which was heavily criticized by judges and fans alike. Lancaster and Waite were saved receiving 3 votes from the judges. The fifth week Penny danced the Foxtrot and recieved her highest marks of the competition scoring 35/40 which put her second on the leadboard, one point away from Alesha Dixon. On the 6th week Lancaster and Waite performed the Salsa and came joint second from the bottom receiving a mark of 25/40. They were voted into the bottom two by the public and were voted out by the judges receiving only 1 vote from Arlene Phillips. Many of her fans stated that her exit was far too early.

Personal life

In 1998 Lancaster had the chance to meet singer Rod Stewart who offered to let her take photos of him whilst on tour. When the pair began going out it caused a large tabloid interest as Stewart had recently separated from his wife and mother of two of his children Rachel Hunter.

In 2005 Stewart proposed to Lancaster at the top of the Eiffel Tower after asking her father for permission. After insisting that he would never marry again Stewart said "I left it this long to propose because I want to get it right this time."

Lancaster gave birth to her first child (Stewart's 7th) a 7lb, 7oz boy on November 27, 2005. The baby was named Alastair Wallace Stewart.

Lancaster and Stewart married on Saturday, June 16, 2007 at La Cervara near Portofino, Italy. The couple exchanged vows in the presence of 100 family and friends. A reception followed overlooking the coast of Santa Margherita.[