Black Country model gives insight on Britain's Next Top Model

Alex, better known as Lexi, has lived in Bloxwich for the last four years, previously having been brought up in Cheslyn Hay.

She was one of two contestants from the Walsall borough on this season of the TV show until Amreen Akhtar sensationally quit last week after admitting she couldn't cope anymore.

And Lexi, aged 18, revealed just how tough it is to be in the house and locked away from the outside world.

• For more information on upcoming events and attractions in the region click here

She said: "When you're in the house you're not allowed any contact with your family and friends. You're not allowed to read newspapers, magazines, watch the news, you feel so cut off.

"It's so hard because you have all this news you want to share and you're just not allowed. I think that's why you make such great friends in the house.It was even harder for me as I'm so close to my family and I'm always checking if they're ok, especially my grandmother."

Asked about how she got into the show, Lexi added: "I had always wanted to go on BNTM but it was taken off air for a while.

"My grandmother showed me that it was back and they were taking applications so I applied but didn't expect anything.It's mad, I never ever thought I was going through at any stage.

"I was confident when I entered the show but it's just the level and standard of the girls was so high and you end up doubting yourself but its made me grow in confidence definitely. Having the feedback and support helps grow your confidence."

Although Walsall is not Lexi's birth home, she speaks of great fondness of the place where she lives with her parents Helen and John.

She said: "It's cool. All my mates still live in Cheslyn Hay so it was a struggle when I first moved away but now I've got my car I can whiz around to see them. I do a lot of shopping in Walsall, I'm always out with my mum. I love going to the cinema as well."

• Watch a trailer for the episode:

Down to the final 10 of the competition, tonight's episode, which airs on Lifetime at 9pm, is the hotly contested makeover week episode.

Promising drama, Lexi couldn't give much away but she said: "It was my favourite episode when I watched the show. Everybody loves makeover week, it's so much drama.

"It's very scary because in some cases they give you a complete makeover and you always see your hair as a safety net.

" But I just thought to myself 'when you went on this show you knew they would mess with your hair so why did you apply?'"

Alex was given the name Lexi by producers of the show as two Alex's made it through to the TV rounds of this season.