Pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor is the new face of Rimmel make-up as supermodel Kate Moss takes a back seat.
The cosmetics giant wanted a younger model than 34-year-old Kate to pitch for the teen and twenty-something market.
Sophie, 29, was snapped up after wowing bosses in secret screen tests.
The mum-of-one, who scored pop hits with Groovejet and Murder On The Dancefloor, is set to star in her first ad this summer. The daughter of Eighties Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis beat rivals including T4 host Alexa Chung, 24, and Bond girl Gemma Arterton, 22. A source said: "Kate Moss has been fantastic but Rimmel wanted a new, fresh face. Sophie was the obvious choice. She is sexy and savvy with flawless skin and bags of attitude. She's admired by young girls, she's also a yummy mummy and men think she's gorgeous."
Sophie, married to Richard Jones, 27, from hit band The Feeling, hooked up with Rimmel once before on a pop tour in 2002 when fans were given free make-up samples
The firm added: "Kate will remain the face of the brand along with a larger scope of models who reach a broader range of markets."
Kate almost lost her Rimmel contract over photos of her allegedly snorting cocaine with then-boyfriend Pete Doherty - and was dropped or her contract not renewed by Burberry, H&M, and H. Stern.
Earlier this year she was replaced at Agent Provocateur undies by a younger model, tipped to be Agyness Deyn, 22.
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