MR ENGLAND (RAGS TO RICHES)

A model has gone from sidewalk to catwalk after being plucked from a life on the streets to be crowned 'Mr England'.

Vaughan Bailey, 23, has enjoyed a glitzy lifestyle rubbing shoulders with the stars since winning the prestigious title.

But just a few years ago, Mr Bailey was forced to sleep on park benches and rely on handouts from friends.

Rags to riches: Mr England Vaughan Bailey has revealed how he used to be homeless

Now he is being bombarded with offers from model scouts and TV companies.

Mr Bailey, from Walsall, West Midlands, said: 'A few years ago, I would consider myself lucky if I had a roof for the night.

'Now modelling agencies are paying for me to stay in the five-star hotels and to drink in the swanky bars.

'It's beyond my wildest dreams.'

When he was just 16, after his parents' messy divorce, Mr Bailey was homeless and sleeping on a friend's floor.

He spent the next 12 months flitting between friend's sofas - and resorted to sleeping in doorways or on park benches when he couldn't find a place to stay.

Winner: Vaughan Bailey being crowned Mr England. He has vowed to use his title to help young people who have fallen on hard times. Just a few years he would have been 'lucky to have a roof over his head'

Mr Bailey said: 'It was a really bad time in my life.

'I never imagined in a million years that I would end up with such an amazing lifestyle.

'I used to spend my weekends begging for a floor to kip on.

'Last weekend I was sitting in the VIP area of a club sipping cocktails next to Katie Price.

'It's still a little bit overwhelming for me.'

Mr Bailey spent most of his days hanging around Birmingham's basketball courts - and before long, was asked to join a local team.

His natural talent shone through, and within months, the homeless teenager had been spotted by an American talent scout.

To his amazement, he was offered a choice of nine different basketball scholarships at top American institutions.

In September 2006, Mr Bailey took up a three-year scholarship at Lindenwood University in St Louis, Missouri - and left the backstreets of Birmingham behind him.

He returned to Birmingham a year ago - after a knee injury put a stop to his professional basketball career - but one of his former team mates suggested he get in touch with a modelling agency.