A LOT can happen in a year, and it certainly has for Page 3 beauty Rhian Sugden.

After sending a collection of photos to a London modelling agency - an idea pitched by her family and friends - Rhian's life now revolves around showbiz networking rather than administrative networks.

After sending her pictures to the Samantha Bond management company in London, things started to roll.

"My first shoot was with The Sun and it was very scary but the photographer soon put me at ease because we met up first and had a conversation so I felt more comfortable."

Walking into a studio consciously knowing that you are about to unleash your 32E chest - Rhian's enviable natural bust size - to a room full of strangers would surely open the flood gates allowing nerves and panic to filter through? Apparently not.

Rhian said: "There was me, the photographer, a makeup artist and my boyfriend at the time in the room. It came quite naturally to be honest. Once I got my top off I was like, well I'm here now'."

One would assume then that such a venture would become second nature?

"I've warmed to the idea," said Rhian. "It gets easier with every shoot because I know quite a lot of the photographers now so they're like my friends. I sometimes stay with them when I'm in London - it's a very sociable job."

Since her first shoot with the Sun in August of last year, the Radcliffe model is now hot property on the glamour circuit. Doors have opened, contracts have been signed and fan clubs have been launched.

She said: "As well as the Sun, I'm contracted to Zoo, I've worked for Maxim, Fast Car magazine, Front magazine and I've got my own calendar."

Although Rhian hasn't been updated with the sales figures of her calendar, she said: "I don't want to know. I'm proud to see myself but I'm very quick to close my pictures, not in an insecurity way, but I know what my good pictures are and some people pick the rubbish ones."

"But I've been able to build a nice portfolio for myself," she admits.

What about her fan base? Showing your ample bosoms to a nation of oggling men is sure to raise temperatures.

"I've got a few weirdos," said Rhian. "My fanmail gets sent to my agent, Samantha Bond, then she directs it all to me. On my MySpace page it mentions a few of my favourite things and people send me little pictures of Minis, and my favourite chocolate."

But Rhian is quick to tell me that she "would never date a fan". Unlucky, boys.

With her perfectly manicured nails, pouty lips, long blonde hair, and a golden Tenerife tan, it must be high maintenance to keep her size eight body in shape.

But Rhian said: "I don't do anything at all. I've actually just joined the gym to try and put on weight. I've had to see a personal trainer to see if I can bulk myself up a bit. It's not that I'm trying to look different, I just want to make myself feel better."

Although 98 per cent of North-west participants in last year's New Woman magazine survey opted to use their good-looks rather than their brains to get what they wanted, this was not the case for Rhian.

The inspiration behind Rhian's road to glamour is simple: "Somebody suggested that I send my pictures off and it just went from there."

Admittedly a fan of busty Jordan, she insists that there is not any one person who inspired her to pose topless. "There's not a person I'd like to be like because I think everyone should be different - but I did like Jordan," she said.

The same magazine survey revealed that 49 per cent of the Bolton and North-western beauties who participated in the survey would happily pose for a Page 3 photoshoot for £10,000.

So then, in passing conversation, I happen to mention that the Sun has a daily circulation figure of more than three million - equating to more than six million eyes. How does Rhian feel about baring all for the pleasure of others?

"I don't mind, actually, because it pays the wages," she said. On that note, I mention Rhian's salary, "A lot," she said. "I have a comfortable life now. The price per shoot varies. I can't really say specifically because all the girls are on different but I am on a good packet."

Since signing her contract in August, 2006, things have accelerated for Rhian at an unbelievable pace.

In the past two weeks alone, she has rubbed shoulders with 50 Cent, been personally invited to P Diddy's party and has been flown to Tenerife on behalf of the Sun for a bikini shoot on the island's hot sands.

But for how long will such functionaries and opportunities captivate the likes of Rhian?

"It's not what I want to do forever," she said. "I eventually want to be a midwife. I never wanted to be a model, it just came about and I might as well do it while it lasts."

So whether Rhian stays on after her contract ends in 2009 depends solely on "how things are going. I don't want to drag it out too long but if I'm still doing well then why not?"

Brains, beauty and a personality. I never thought such a being existed. But it does - in Radcliffe.

Rhian's diary

Saturday, April 21: Mayfair, London
Rhian was selected to attend 50 Cent's party. I went as a normal partygoer with other Page 3 girls - Keeley, Katie Downs and Samantha Cook.

Sunday, April 22: Old Billingsgate Market, London
Today was the Moscow Motion Ball. Moet champagne was served from chandeliers, a performance from Sophie Ellis Bextor, and a room filled with Russian billionnaires. Also there were Melinda Messenger and Peaches Geldof.

Monday, April 23: Tenerife
Flew to Tenerife with The Sun doing shoots on the beach. I was there Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and flew back Thursday.

Friday, April 27: Manchester
London modelling agency Supermodel came to Manchester to look for the next "big" girl and I was a judge.

Saturday, April 28: Bury
I had a bit of a break today and went round Bury.

Sunday, April 29: Siberia, Bury One hundred and fifty people turned up for my unplanned party at Siberia nightclub organised with my best friend, Leanne. Dane Bowers was supposed to do an hour set but he was ill.

Profile

Bust size: 32E
Height: 5ft 7"
Eye colour: Brown
Hair: Blonde
Favourite underwear: French knickers because I haven't really got a bum to wear a thong.

Favourite things: The colour pink, Johnny Depp, the film Dirty Dancing .

Top glamour tip: I would just say go for it, try it because that's all I did and didn't expect anything from it and it just happened. I'm really happy at the moment and wouldn't change anything.

Perfecting the pout: Practise in the mirror - that's what I do!