Rio Ferdinand signs up struggling 'too sexy for shoot' model for online mag

An aspiring model's curvaceous figure that was deemed unfit for lingerie modeling has caught the fancy of footie star Rio Ferdinand, who has signed her up as the face of his online magazine.

Geordie beauty Francoise Boufhal has become the face of #5, which concentrates on music, fashion, film and sport.

The 28H Maxim cover girl was selected from hundreds of other hopefuls after she impressed the Manchester United defender during her interview.

"When I reached about 16 I stopped doing theatre and TV because every casting I went to I got knocked back for having such an unusual figure for such a young woman," the Sun quoted Francoise as saying.

"I'm a 28H. Everything I went to I was told I was too glamorous and no one knew where to put me in things.

"I went on a quest for a lingerie job but my bust was too big for that even.

"I was offered loads of work but it was all to go topless and that was not what I wanted to do.

"It was so frustrating, but it made me even more determined to be known for who I was rather than just my looks.

"I thought no matter how many times you knock me back, I'll keep going and sooner or later something will come along I'll be good for," she added.