PERFECT 10

PAGE 3 legend Zoe McConnell's mesmerizing blue eyes and captivating curves have transformed her into one of the most successful topless models of all time.

But despite celebrating ten years of posing provocatively for the camera, the 28-year-old beauty reveals a phobia of being photographed.

Zoe giggles: "I know it sounds hard to believe but I am actually really camera shy. When hair and make-up are done in preparation for a shoot I am ready to do it because it's a job and that feels different but even now, if someone pulls a camera on me when I'm not working, I'll run and hide in a corner."

Consequently, the only pictures of Zoe on display in her neat West London home are those she has taken of other girls. She says: "My favourite is the one I took of my photographic assistant Carissa, 28.

"I just looked at her and thought: 'You are so beautiful' and had to capture that.

"The other is of Page 3 model Nikkala. It was the first picture I took as a Page 3 photographer and I'm really proud of it."

Zoe had been working as a Page 3 model for seven years when The Sun recognized her talents lay on both sides of the lens. Zoe says: "I'd been banging on about taking pictures for so many years I think they finally had to give into me.

"One year during a shoot in Majorca, The Sun finally gave me an old camera and a light and said: 'Right, if you can prove to us you can take a nice Page 3 picture we will have faith in you and back you all the way."

Nowadays, Zoe drifts easily from one side of the camera to the other, maintaining a physique worthy of tantalizing topless shots while taking pictures for The Sun, magazines and lingerie companies.

The blonde beauty could never have imagined a few fun snaps sent to legendary Page 3 photographer Beverley Goodway could have catapulted her to such heady heights.

She recalls: "I was 18 years old and just thought it would be a laugh to send some pictures in to The Sun. Someone had told me they thought I could be a model and at that age, it's flattering and you believe anything.

"A letter came back but the first word was 'Unfortunately' so I screwed it up and chucked it on the floor but my boyfriend at the time helpfully unscrewed it and pointed out to me that it said 'Unfortunately? you didn't leave a contact number. Please could you come in for a test shoot."

Beverley was instantly captivated by Zoe's fresh-faced looks and fabulous figure. On 5 March 1999, her first Page 3 picture appeared in The Sun and she was an instant hit among millions of readers.

Zoe, who grew up in Camberwell, South East London, explains: "It was just as much of a shock for me as it was for my family. I've always had a thing about wearing combat trousers. I wore them to my first shoot and Beverly told me I could keep them on if it would make me feel more comfortable so I did and that's how I appeared. My mum Rita was really proud of me but mortified at my choice of outfit: 'Zoe, how could you keep those awful trousers on,' she said.

Zoe puts the secret of surviving a decade in the tough modelling world down to her reclusive personality. She says: "I've always kept myself to myself and never become part of the big party scene which a lot of models get involved in."

And incredibly, Zoe says she does not employ special measures to preserve her famous 30D-23-34 figure. She adds: "I'm so lucky because I've never really had to work at maintaining my figure. I don't do diets and regularly tuck into my favourite hot curries and rice."

Zoe says she is not yet ready to give up posing in front of the camera completely. "I am keeping my options open. I am celebrating ten years of Page 3 because I'm proud of it. Yes, the modelling is now on a back-foot to the photography but I'm not ready to give it up completely."

Zoe says her dream photography portrait would be Madonna, adding: "I truly love her because she pushes boundaries." But for now Zoe is happy snapping her fellow Page 3 models. She says: "I'd like to think that being a Page 3 girl myself sometimes gives me a slight advantage in getting the best out of other girls. I love work which isn't just obvious but has an erotic edge and it's a real joy being able to help other girls achieve the right poses and facial expressions, which isn't always easy. Even the way we hold our finger tips can affect a pose."

Zoe's hidden talents don't just extend to photography. In April 2008 she was chosen to take part in one of the world famous Oxford Union debates. She says: "When I was asked to argue against the motion This House Believes Page 3 Is Unacceptable In The 21st Century, I never imagined I would bring that same house crashing down. Let alone that the motion would be crushed by the students themselves by a margin of more than 100 votes - 230 to 129. After all, I didn't even finish my A-levels, let alone go to university - though I did get three As and seven Bs in my GCSEs." But Zoe says she delights in fooling snobby critics who believe Page 3 girls are brainless. She adds: "Generally, Page 3 girls are much brighter than people imagine. We like people to expect we are dim but then surprise them. People forget we are human beings but we love playing up to the stereotype and then shocking them with the reality."