Annie Stirk

Born in Castleford, Annie Stirk, 70, lives in Brandsby, North Yorkshire, and has been married for 48 years to Ken. They have two grown-up children. She was a TV food stylist and presenter before running her own food PR business. She has modelled for York Fashion Week, Copper & White and Meatless Farm.

“I retired at 67. I realised I missed the creative buzz. I spotted an advert on Facebook – models wanted, no experience required, send a photo. We had recently been to a Gatsby night in York where we had to dress the part. I took the obligatory selfie. It seemed to hit the spot, amazingly securing me a place on a photo session at a studio in Leeds. I took along three different outfits, did my own hair and makeup and ended up with my very first portfolio of shots.

“The team at Hearts Boutique in Easingwold saw the photos and invited me to do some modelling. I absolutely loved it and was hooked.

“As a late starter, it’s a combination of keeping your eyes and ears open and doing research to find an agency which would represent a mature silver model. I also source my own work and via photographers Andrea Denniss, at Pink Lily Photography, and Steve Cockram, at Brussels Street Studio in Leeds.

“The big one for me this year is the Leeds-based Meatless Farm campaign. It’s a light-hearted and fun national advertising campaign. I am appearing as my alter ego Granny Annie on billboards across the UK.

“When you are new to the business and naïve, beware of being taken in by organisations which tout themselves as agencies but are really just shop windows. A proper model agency will not ask you for any money upfront.”

Annie is represented by Stanley’s in Derby, and Alan Sharman in Birmingham.