The accidental model: Social media photos launched mum of four into a glam new career

A mum of four has revealed how she became a model by accident when her daughter’s agency saw her pictures on social media.

Cycling instructor Carol Gillespie, 53, says she was stunned when the agency called and asked to speak to her.

The mum of four explained that the family were on holiday when the phone rang and she thought it was a modelling assignment for her daughter, Fiona.

© Colours Agency

“She handed the phone to me saying, ‘They want to speak to you, mum!’

“Her agency had seen me on Fiona’s social media and wanted to sign me up.

“She had been scouted in a shopping centre and put some pictures of me and her sisters up on social media.

“I immediately agreed because I believe you must take every opportunity in life and age should never be a barrier.

“Who knew you could be a model in your 50s!”

Assignments have included looking glamorous on luxury yachts, strolling along beaches and showcasing the latest trends in fashion for women of a certain age.

The East Renfrewshire mum and gran was widowed eight years ago when her husband, Charles, died from bowel cancer.

With two daughters in primary school and the other two in high school, she said she had to cope with the heartbreak and strive to do the best for her children.

“I had trained and worked as an engineer, but my daughters were my priority and we have thrived since our darkest days.”

Her assignments fit around her job as a Bikeability Scotland instructor, teaching safe cycling to children of all abilities.

It is a joint venture between Cycling Scotland and Bikeability.

“I guess when you are a busy mum there is little time to pamper and groom yourself, so you feel a bit nervous about posing in front of the camera.

“The agency seems very happy and so do their clients.

“With four beautiful daughters, you have to make the best of yourself.”

Her love of cycling and fishing ensures that she is always in shape, ably helped by babysitting her two grandsons, Adam, four, and Roman, under one.

“Adam was our surprise grandson. Fiona is so tall and slim that she never suspected she was pregnant until she had sharp stomach pains and I ran her to the nearest A&E where the doctors told us she was about to deliver a baby.

“He was born just 30 minutes later in the emergency unit, which must have been a surprise to the emergency staff who usually attend patients with strokes, heart attacks and accidents.

“I was a granny at 49, supporting Fiona as she delivered her first baby at 21.

“We were delighted and surprised, especially Fiona and her partner, Paul.

“I video called my other daughters from the ambulance en route to Wishaw maternity unit and they thought it was a joke until I put Fiona and baby Adam on.

“Life is wonderful at times.”

Fiona has since graduated from university and works as an accountant. Daughter Nicola, who is a primary teacher, had her son, Roman, in January.

All four daughters worked as models for the Colours Agency in Glasgow after the eldest, Fiona, now 25, was spotted by the agency while strolling through Silverburn shopping centre in Glasgow.

With two daughters now mothers, and the two younger ones now full-time students, there is little time for them to resume their modelling careers.

© Colours Agency

“I am happy to remain the family’s only model in our family,” said Carol.

“I probably would not get the time or opportunity to experience another career if I had turned it down.

“Life changes, things move on and your children grow up, so only I am with the agency.”

In her spare time, she slips seamlessly from modelling and cycling to trekking through hills and forests to ideal fishing spots.

Last week she caught a 7lb salmon in the River Ayre.

Women make better anglers than men because of lower levels of pheromones which attract fish, say scientists.

“Fishing in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland is a joy and they are always released into the water after a quick weigh to protect fish stocks.

“This one had a scratch on his back which suggested that he had escaped a scrap with an otter further along the river.”

Alison Bruce, owner director at Colours Agency, said: “Carol has an amazing appeal and she joined our books after we spotted her daughter in Silverburn shopping centre.

“Modelling is more diverse now because the public want to see people of all ages.

“Many women now work on into later years, have greater spending power and expect to see models they can identify with.”