Our Roland gets through to last 250 models... but look who he's up against

A MAN from Northern Ireland is set to become an unlikely fashionicon after storming into the final stages of a prestigious modellingcompetition.

It may seem unlikely, but Roland Bunce could be catapulted ontothe catwalk after beating off 5,000 hopefuls to make it onto thelist of finalists for the Make Me The Next Model competition.

The 24-year-old bagged a staggering 66,000 votes as he eased hisway into the next stage of the prestigious competition.

Despite his new found fame, the ginger-haired computer sciencegraduate has so far dodged all media attention.

Roland will now be keeping his fingers crossed as he goes infront of a panel of judges who will whittle the field down to thelast 50 for the competition final on July 30. Despite what havebeen described as his "unclassical" model looks, Roland has capturedthe imagination of thousands of internet users across the globe whohave backed the campaign to have him crowned retail giant Next'snewest top model.

If he makes it to the end of the competition Roland could scoop aPounds 2,000 shopping spree at Next, a photoshoot and anintroduction to a modelling agency.

Roland last night used his Facebook fan page to thank everyonewho has voted for him so far.

He said: "Thanks for all the support and thanks to the person whostarted the group."

Roland fan Kathy Gordon praised the Bangor man on the Facebookpage.

She said: "Surely everyone, no matter size, gender, race or looksshould be given a chance to model. Fair play to Roland for havingthe courage to do this!"

Fan Ciara Crowder was gushing in her admiration for the shyUlster model hopeful.

She said: "Ahh, this guy is a legend, he deserves to win.

"Show the world that everyone is beautiful, everyone comes in allshapes and sizes."

QUOTES

I'd just like to say that the people voting to keep Roland B atnumber one for a laugh do you realise by doing that you are ruiningsomeones chance who really wants to go far in this competition youare taking someone else's place there are guys and girls who willmiss out becasue [sic] of this silly voting and its just simply notfair where do you expect to go with it

Cheryl Westerman on Next's Facebook page

CAPTION: Next top model? Roland Bunce has made it to the finals