'I was a shy pensioner - now I'm a 70-year-old model proving it's never too late'

Anne Flanagan, 70, from Belfast, was approached by a photographer in the street who asked to take her picture - and now she's a model with a local agency

Anne modelling

Anne Flanagan, 70, was spotted while shopping in Belfast (Image: SWNS)

A 70 year old woman has shown that age is no barrier to new experiences by securing a modelling contract and preparing for her first fashion show. After feeling 'absorbed' by her corporate job and spending most of her life in the public sector, including roles in the Northern Irish civil service, Anne Flanagan, decided to do something 'more fun' with her time upon retirement.

Encouraged by her daughters, Julie, 40, and Ciara, 37, she began volunteering at a nursing home. However, a chance encounter on the street led to a dramatic career change.

Photographer Christopher Ward, who runs the Instagram page Model Strangers, approached Anne while she was shopping in Belfast. After her photos went viral, she was signed by a modelling agency and asked to model for a local clothing brand.

"That particular day, I walked into town with my husband," she recalled. "He's more of a walker, but I wanted to have a quick look at the shops and go home. I saw someone coming towards me with a camera. If I see anyone who looks like a tourist in Belfast, I'm over to help them. I thought Chris was just a tourist, looking for some directions. But when he approached me, he told me what he did."

Anne had never modelled before but says the photos gave her a 'boost'. "I was always shy, and always will be - but my modelling pictures make me smile," she added.

Anne modelling pic

Anne says she will always be shy despite becoming a model (Image: No credit)

"I'm happy in how I look. If I'm able to represent older women, I'm thrilled with that."

After the images of her blew up, Anne now gets recognised on the street, and has had other pensioners praise her for 'empowering women over 70'. "I was stopped in a coffee shop," she added. "This lady said, 'are you Anne? ' She told me I'd brought a smile to her face. For some people who've spoken to me - they love seeing an older person being given a platform."

A few months later and Anne was approached by Kindred of Ireland - a local boutique - to model their clothes. She felt so nervous and unprepared for the gig that she thought she was going to be sick, but once she got there she 'enjoyed it enormously'.

Anne modelling

Anne nows gets recognised in the street (Image: SNWS)

Anne strikes a pose

Anne says she's loving her new 'career' (Image: SWNS)

Her next booking is set to be at the Victoria Square 'Park and Stride' fashion show, in autumn.

Revealing her most treasured part of her new 'career', Anne stated that it demonstrated life does not come to a halt at 70. "It's not over as soon as you hit 70," she expressed, with an air of joy emerging from people of her age offering their support.

Expressing her pleasure at the representation, she said: "They say it's 'great to see someone our age, who's been spotted for standing out.' I just think it's great that an older woman is getting so much good publicity."

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?