Plucked from a cast of thousands of unknowns to become the new Magnum ice-cream girl, Katie's modelling heritage comes from her mum, a former swimwear model, and her Auntie Joyce, a former Miss UK who came fourth in the Miss World contest in the '60s.

And the ill-fitting shoes? A case of right place, right time, wrong size. 'I was out shopping for shoes in Manchester and was hanging about because I couldn't find a pair in the right size,' explains the Liverpudlian lass. 'Suddenly these people came in and started taking Polaroids of me. I thought it was all a bit dodgy until they explained they were casting for the new Magnum girl that day and would I come along for an interview. Next thing I know, I'm eating a Magnum in front of people I've never met, then having won the Manchester heat I'm whisked away to Morocco where I end up landing the job and a modelling contract into the bargain. I'm still in a state of shock. But thank God I went looking for shoes that day.'

Having just finished her A-levels, the new Magnum queen fortunately still has time for her other passion - sidecar racing. 'My racing partner and I have been doing it for years and we're currently number one in the country,' she explains. 'I'm the one in the sidecar throwing myself about to redistribute the weight going round corners. The first thing I'm going to buy with my modelling money is a new set of bright pink leathers.' Tasty.

So, purely in the interests of minor sports, what does she wear under her leathers during a race? 'Oh, just a very tiny pair of shorts. It's far too hot and sweaty to have anything else on.'

Quick, break out the the ice creams.