Britain's Next Top Model, Cycle 5 is the fifth cycle of Britain's Next Top Model and the fifth cycle to air on Living. With an increased budget, Cycle 5 claims to be "bigger, better and more high-fashion than ever before."
The winner of this cycle, like the previous cycles (excluding Cycle 1), received a contract with modelling agency Models 1, became the face of a Max Factor cosmetics campaign, and a cover and six-page spread in Company Magazine. This was Lisa Snowdon's last series as the host before she was replaced by model Elle Macpherson.
Mecia Simson was the winner of the competition.
Runner-up Sophie Sumner along with fellow contestants Annaliese Dayes and Ashley Brown also participated as contestants on America's Next Top Model: British Invasion along with four other former BNTM contestants. While Brown and Dayes were eliminated in the 5th and 11th episodes respectively, Sumner would later claim victory as the winner of ANTM Cycle 18.
Production
This cycle saw major changes in the show. While Lisa Snowdon and Huggy Ragnarsson both returned to the judging panel, head garment designer and distinguished milliner, Louis Mariette, took over from Gerry DeVeaux. This series was also the first to feature a boot-camp stage, with 20 semi-finalists starting the competition in the cycle premiere, the largest number of girls that the show has started with so far. 7 girls were eliminated in the first episode, and the number of contestants was reduced to the top 13 who entered the Britain's Next Top Model house, in London.
This is the second cycle (after cycle 1) with two international destinations. In episode 6, the top 9 contestants travelled to Reykjavík, and in episode 9, the top 5 contestants travelled to Buenos Aires.
Contestants
(ages stated are at start of contest)
Episodes
The Girls Go To Boot Camp
Original airdate: 20 April 2009
The 20 potential contestants arrive at a country manor house with a champagne reception, and are soon greeted by host Lisa, who informs them they are to enter the gruelling model boot camp. Amongst the girls is Hayley, who was chosen by the public to take part following an online vote. After completing an assault course at Henfold Lakes Dorking, now home to the famous 'Nuts Challenge' (probably the longest army assault course in the world) the girls did a catwalk challenge featuring clothing from the Ed Hardy range, as well as a brief individual meeting with the judges, 5 girls are eliminated when they don't find dog tags in boxes placed on their beds.
Eliminated: Emily Holmes, Emma Ward, Jennifer Thomas-Grant, Natalie Henry & Natasha Causon
The episode's photo challenge sees the remaining 15 girls put in the following three groups of five for an army inspired shoot with Huggy:
At panel, the judges have praise for Mecia, Viola, Hayley, Jade, Chloe and Kasey, who all stand out in their pictures, as well as Lauren, who is rather bizarrely told by new judge Louis that she is 'the new Moulin Rouge'.
Daisy is told she looks dead in the eyes, while Ashley disappoints when she states she is not happy with the way she has photographed. Mecia receives the first call out and is thrilled to be told she has booked a billboard campaign in the USA for Christian Audigier, after impressing on the catwalk. Ultimately, 2 more girls are eliminated; Nell because of some wrist worry from the judge and her look not being versatile, and Rebecca over concern of her commitment to the competition. The 13 girls are finally ready to enter the Top Model house.
First Call-Out: Mecia Simson
Bottom Three: Ashley Brown, Nell Naberro & Rebecca Ball
Eliminated: Nell Naberro & Rebecca Ball
Featured photographer: Huggy Ragnarsson
Quizzes and Castings
Original airdate: 27 April 2009
The girls excitedly move into the model house and are thrilled with their new abode. The following morning they are split into two teams for a very raucous fashion quiz, with the winners (Ashley, Daisy, Jade, Kasey, Lisa-Ann & Sophie) receiving designer watches. The week's challenge is to film an advert on the Millennium bridge wearing Elizabeth Emanuel bridal wear. The girls have to deliver some dialogue then kiss a male model. Kasey impresses and wins the challenge, while Mecia irritates the photographer by refusing to kiss the model, worried she will upset her boyfriend of four years.
