With the new series of Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model kicking off last night, we at Models Direct thought we’d find out more about judge Charley Speed and what he thinks makes a great model.

The model and actor, most famous for his appearance with Kate Moss in a Calvin Klein Eyewear campaign in 1997, recently spoke with FemaleFirst, revealing that having looked for an edgy, editorial model last year, he is now back with more of an open attitude.

So just what does Speed think makes for great model potential? “I think there is the obvious thing about physical attributes. There’s things like height and striking looks, not necessarily commercial good looks, but just something about them – there’s something about attitude, it’s the whole package,” he said.

“You can’t put your finger on it and I’m not saying it’s about having a certain factor – it’s about having something that nobody else has got and you just can’t put your finger on it.

“You may have great looks but you have to have something about you, you have to be interesting because clients are going to have to want to work with you. There could be a whole room of guys and girls with great looks but you’ve got to have that much more. People that have longevity in the industry now are intelligent and that much more honest,” he explained.

Speed also stressed the importance that Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model demonstrates the shift towards diversity in the modelling industry: “You are starting to see different shapes on the catwalk, finally, thankfully. We’ve been less strict in the criteria of shapes that we let through. We’re trying to champion different shapes and different looks this year as well doing the stereotypical look, I think it’s important.”