O'Connor had to resist pressure for cosmetic surgery

Erin O’Connor was told she needed cosmetic surgery to succeed.

The supermodel – who is known for her striking facial features – was originally criticised about her looks and was told she would have to go under the knife for a breast enlargement operation and nose job if she wanted to be a top model.

She revealed: “In the early days of my modelling career, I think the industry was uncomfortable with how strikingly different I was. For example, I was told to have a nose job and get my breasts done.”

However, the 31-year-old beauty is thrilled she vowed to ignore the negative comments.

She explained to Britain’s Radio Times magazine: “I suddenly got very stubborn and thought, ‘Well, no. This is me,’ and suddenly I was being hailed as ‘a new form of beauty’.”

The 6ft 1in tall model is now worried about the increase of people undergoing surgery to improve their self-confidence.

She explained: “I am concerned about ageism and the loss of beauty - the perception that as you grow older, you ‘lose your looks’, which I think is diabolical.

“I worry about how accessible cosmetic surgery has become. Of course, if it has genuinely helped people and their confidence has grown as a result, who am I to form an opinion? But I think there are better routes to confidence than trying to freeze time.”