Girls and guys at modelling agency Models Direct are looking forward to the new series of Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model and, according to reports, fans of the show are being promised the best cycle yet!

This season’s BINTM will begin airing on Sky Living next Monday at 9pm. Its modelling legend host and executive producer Elle Macpherson will be joined by fashion designer side-kick Whitney Port, alongside panelists Julien Macdonald and Tyson Beckford. Guest judges are set to include – Models Direct favourite – Andrej Pejic and fellow models Erin O’Connor, Tali Lennox and Paul Sculfor – plus Alesha Dixon, Kimberly Wyatt, Mollie King and Mel B.

Elle is quoted in The Sun this morning expressing a great enthusiasm for her team: “It’s been absolutely amazing working with Whitney, who is a great role model for my girls. Tyson is gorgeous and of course Julien is Julien! He is on great form, he’s fun and sexy and looks great.

“I think the dynamics are really cool and fresh. We all have a different perspective on the business and the girls and we have different ways of giving feedback. With US judges we’re more international now, which is great – as the modelling industry is an international industry and this is an international show.

“This year, we have changed some of the judges, because every season we try to go bigger and better and keep it alive. And we’ve had amazing guest judges. Every week there’s someone new and I’m loving my guest hosts. Nigel Barker was phenomenal, he had perfect soundbites and great feedback.

“Ten years of experience with America’s Next Top Model really comes out. Erin O’Connor, Mel B and Tali Lennox were also great. Each week was better than the last, I kept thinking, ‘You are the best guest we’ve ever had’. We have had the best guests all round. It’s an honour.”

She also speaks very highly of this year’s modelling contestants, the advantages to be gained from their experience on the show, and the ways in which it will help each of them in their quest to become a model: “This particular bunch of girls has been the most skilled as far as modelling is concerned. We’ve seen girls start strong and get stronger, and we have also seen girls start strong who have not been able to maintain it because looks only go so far.

“Versatility, stamina, sense of humour, courage, willingness to try new things, being flexible, reinventing themselves — there are a lot of challenges for them. A gorgeous girl can come in and then leave in the first couple of episodes because she doesn’t have that range. By the time they get to the last shows, these girls are really skilled.

“In general the girls are forming a career out of this experience, which is what we want. I think this experience gives the girls a fantastic springboard to excel in this industry, even if they don’t win.”

The winner will be chosen from 20 finalists to receive an international modelling contract, an additional contract with Revlon, and the chance to cover Company magazine.