The model, the billionaire and the custody battle: Tycoon's court order stops wife and son returning to UK family

But now model Sian Mitchell and her husband Angus, the heir to the $1 billion Paul Mitchell beauty empire, are in a bitter legal battle over their divorce and the custody of their son.

Sian, from Great Wyrley, married Mr Mitchell last year and gave birth to Dylan seven months ago.

But just 19 days later divorce proceedings were taken against Mrs Mitchell.

She has been banned from leaving California with her baby by the US courts meaning she is trapped in the West Coast state and her family back home are yet to meet the new arrival.

The case has been raised for the first time by South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson. He has delivered a petition of 154 family and friends of Mrs Mitchell calling on the British Government to do all it can to assist her.

Mr Williamson told the House of Commons: "My constituent Sian Mitchell moved to the United States last year, following her engagement and marriage to an American citizen. Sadly, shortly after the birth of her son earlier this year, her marriage fell apart.

Her multi-millionaire husband, Mr Angus Mitchell, has taken out court orders preventing Sian from taking her child out of the State of California until proceedings have been resolved, making it as difficult as possible for her to bring up her son in the way she wishes.

"Sian is away from her family and relies on their emotional support during this extremely difficult time.

"She is desperate to return home to the United Kingdom with her child to allow her family to have the chance to meet this little boy for the first time.

"I therefore present the petition on behalf of 154 residents of south Staffordshire."

Mrs Mitchell grew up in Great Wyrley where she was known as Sian Morgan.

She went to St Dominic's High School for Girls, in Brewood, and was a member of the girl band ICandy which made it through to the boot camp of X-Factor in 2010.

She was also named Miss Coventry in the same year. She is now in her mid-20s. Mr Mitchell, 45, was born into the legacy of late legendary hairstylist Paul Mitchell. He was educated by Vidal Sassoon stylists and started to craft his own signature style.

He currently travels the world for hair events on behalf of Paul Mitchell. ?He lives in Los Angeles.

It is believed he met Mrs Mitchell while she was modelling in the States. The Paul Mitchell luxury hair brand is reportedly worth more than $1 billion-a-year. Paul Mitchell was born in Carnwath, Scotland, in 1936, but was initially called Cyril.

He went on to become a nationally-renowned hairdresser and moved to New York in 1960 after being invited by Vidal Sassoon and his empire was born. He died in 1989 aged 53. His son Angus now runs the business with his father's original business partner John Paul DeJoria.

The petition states: "The petition of residents of the UK, declares that Mrs Sian Mitchell moved to the United States of America where she married a US citizen with whom she has a son; further that divorce proceedings are currently in motion and Mrs Mitchell has been ordered by the courts in California to remain in the State with her son until proceedings have been resolved; and further that the petitioners believe that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Government should offer as much support and assistance to her as possible so she can return to the UK.

"The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Government to make representations to the US Government and the State of California to press the issue and get a resolution to the problem at the earliest possible stage so that Mrs Mitchell can return to the United Kingdom with her son as soon as possible."

Mr Mitchell and Mrs Mitchell were unavailable for comment.