Wearing the obligatory oversized shades, Nicola Roberts breezes into our shoot a super-starry hour and a half late.Muttering something about a delayed doctor’s appointment, she air-kisses her way round the Hollywood-esque entourage who have been waiting patiently for her arrival.

In the past, she was always very much the fifth member of Girls Aloud – the baby of the group, the reluctant star, often painted as the shy, slightly sulky redhead. But today Nicola is a confident, tough-talking sex kitten and fast becoming a style icon.

The low self-esteem that once tormented her has been banished and a gutsy young woman is starting to emerge.

“I was so insecure, but you’ve got to accept who you are,” she says.

And it’s clear she has. Gone is the fake tan Nicola once slathered herself in to compete with her bandmates. Gone too are the golden highlights she used to disguise the red hair that made her the butt of so many cruel taunts.

It’s taken time, but she has finally embraced her looks. And so have others.

Now, Nicola, 24, is regularly spotted in prime position on the coveted front row at top fashion shows, has designers queuing up to dress her and, after 18 months of hard work, has just fully launched her own brand of make-up – Dainty Doll – designed especially for girls with pale skin.