Katie's no angel, says lingerie tycoon

Lingerie tycoon Michelle Mone today unleashed another stinging attack on reality TV star Katie Hopkins.

The 'Apprentice' judge is lining up women to model her new underwear range – but she said Hopkins will definitely not be among them.

Mone uses a string of celebrities to help sell her Ultimo Angel range, including Girls Aloud singer Sarah Harding and Rod Stewart’s wife Penny Lancaster.

Several new faces will be unveiled in 2008 alongside current girls Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson and veteran rocker Rod’ daughters Ruby and Kimberley.

But Mone said former 'Apprentice' contestant Hopkins, who she branded a “disgrace to businesswoman” on the show, does not fit the bill.

Mother-of-two Hopkins, who also appeared in the latest 'I’m A Celebrity, Get me Out of Here', caused a storm when she bitched about her fellow contestants, admitted to snaring a married man, and was pictured romping naked in a field.

Asked if she was planning to ask Hopkins tobecome an Angel, Mone, 35, said: “No.

“She would not be suitable, both in terms of personality and looks.”

The businesswoman added: “People know we didn’t see eye to eye.

“I don’t believe in anything she stood for and thought she gave women a bad name.

“I wouldn’t give her any more publicity.”

Mone changes her Ultimo Angels every two years, and puts potential recruits through a careful vetting process.

This includes having dinner with the models, hearing about their backgrounds and ensuring they fit in with the vibrant, young image of her 11-year-old firm.

The models have helped Ultimo sell millions of products around the world, making founder Mone a self-made millionairess and award-winning entrepreneur.

Mone said: “I meet up with the girls first of all, and have a nice dinner.

“I like to see what kind of personality they have got, and check out their background.

“If they don’t fit in they won’t come on board.

“I have got to get on with them and connect, and I am just a normal punter just like my customers.”

The mother-of-three added: “There was a well-known supermodel I won’t name, and she was exceptionally rude.

“I walked out the restaurant and never spoke to her again.

“There will be a lot of new people coming on board next year.

“The girls we use are really important, and we have done really well so far.

“But they have got to relate to the customer and I don’t just believe in using someone for the sake of it.”

She went on: “If you take Sarah Harding and Gemma Atkinson they can relate to the people out on the street.

“They like to have fun and are not above themselves.”

Mone would not reveal any of the potential Angels.

One of her latest recruits is this year’s Miss Scotland Nieve Jennings, who has become the firm’s first Scots model.

She follows on from other star models including Helena Christiansen and Rod Stewart’s ex-wife Rachel Hunter.