Withering slights over supermodel role in Brontë celebration

IT’S A row to rival the drama in her masterpiece, Wuthering Heights. For the official marking of the 200th anniversary of Emily Brontë’s birth has descended into anger over the role of Lily Cole in the celebrations.

Last month, the supermodel was made “creative partner” for 2018 to the Brontë Parsonage Museum, the Yorkshire home of the writer and her sisters, Charlotte and Anne.

The museum is maintained by the Brontë Society and the role of Lily Cole has caused divisions between traditionalists and modernisers.

Critics, led by Brontë expert Nick Holland, say Cole is an inappropriate figurehead and an insult to the writer’s memory. Holland wrote: “I have nothing against Lily herself, other than her terrible acting, but against the people who selected her.”

But others have backed the Cambridge history of art graduate.

Samantha Ellis described the criticism as “tedious killjoy carping”, while Olga Matthias said: “The more I think about it, the more perfect the choice of Lily Cole seems. Well done.”

Cole, 30, is to work on a project exploring the origins of the character Heathcliff.

A Brontë Society spokesman said: “Lily’s innovative projects in… literacy, nature, storytelling and the environment are the perfect fit for Emily.” – Daily Mail