Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model is back and we've got the gossip from first eliminee, Christina

Pout perfecters of the nation rejoice - it's the return of Britain and Ireland's Next Top Model!

The ninth season of every would-be Cara Delevingne's fave show returned with a double bill that had more tears than an all-girl screening of 'The Notebook' and some seriously amazing one-liners.

Elle Macpherson is back as head judge, joined once again by impossibly beautiful model/actor Tyson Beckford.

The trio was completed by brand spanking new judge Dannii Minogue who was the surprise star of the premiere - she's sassier and more decisive than we've ever seen her before and we like it.

We've got the inside gossip from first reject, 19-year-old student Christina from Dunblane who told us what it was like to go from schoolbooks to magazine shoots.

But before we could even get to the FINAL FOURTEEN (that important they deserve caps, obvs.), 28 hopefuls had to whittled down.

The shortlist came from all four corners of these two great isles, from farmer's daughters in Ireland to call centre workers in Leeds, and with only a "walk" to separate them from the competition, the pressure was on.

"I was first up so I had no idea what to expect," Christina tells us. "It was nerve-wracking but I managed to crack a few jokes!"

An early, err, stand out was Lucy from Brighton who declared herself as "eccentric...I like tea and cats." Classic.

Alas her fondness for char didn't translate into model potential and she was one of the first eight cut - based on just their walk!

"That was when the competition became quite real - we all realized we are going to be eliminated if we don’t perform," admits Christina.

"The first few days you forgot about the stress of the competition as we were in that house and all excited. But once the winners were announced I think that’s when everyone realized we've got to step it up."

And then there were 20. Next up - the dreaded no make-up shoot.

Have you seen Kate Moss without any slap on? It's not a great look and she's the world's most sought-after supermodel. So what chance did these novices have against the dreaded cleanser and cotton wool?

Turns out the would-be models looked lovely sans make-up (big surprise) and only six more were sent home - leaving us with the FINAL FOURTEEN.

"When we first went into the model house it was so exciting," Christina tells us, "we were just all running round like crazy people!"

But there wasn't any time to get used to their new plush pad as the girls had a 4am wake-up call the next day - ouch.

The ladies were whisked away to the gorgeous city of...Birmingham! Not quite Dubai or Paris is it?

[BINTM judge Dannii Minogue - steal her style!]

[Cara Delevingne shows off sports luxe trend in DKNY at party with BFF Rita Ora]

Turns out they were starring in their first catwalk, modelling wedding dresses at the NEC with tips from model Jade Parfitt - who we've decided is the least model-y model and nicest lady ever.

Emotions ran high as the best girls were picked to wear bridal gowns while the losers were relegated to bridesmaids - controversial!

Alas, for some of the girls from further afield being in a gorgeous house in London, hanging out with supermodels and wearing couture dresses just wasn't the same as being at home on the sofa doing bugger all.

Sarah from the north of Ireland broke down to fellow Irish contestant Holly about being homesick and feeling trapped in the mansion.

"I know," agreed Holly, "it's like being in a really chic prison, with really nice lamps."

Christina didn't feel the same pressure about being on camera: "It didn’t really feel like we were on this crazy TV show."

"It just felt like we were this group of girls doing all these fun activities going on all these adventures - it didn’t feel like we were competing against each other."

The final chance the girls had to impress the judges was a magazine shoot with new judge Dannii on hand to give them the golden nuggets of advice she had mined away over 30 years in the industry.

"It was really good to work with Dannii," says Christina, "she gave us a lot of advice."

Christina seemed to be doing so well on the shoot, getting positive remarks about her energy but did her bubbly personality end up letting her down?

"I was so excited about the shoot and I think my excitement got mixed with her advice so I didn’t really take it on like I should have!" she admits. "But it was hard, I was excited!"

It was a nail biting first elimination with Sarah, Christina, Saffron and Danielle in the bottom four but in the end it was Christina's time to go.

"I was so gutted and even more so because I had to tell my family I was leaving."

"That and knowing I was missing out on all the future adventures that all the other girls will get to experience."

Having won a modelling competition back when she was 15, Christina still wants to follow her dreams part-time but admits the rejection and scrutiny are tough to deal with.

"I had an amazing experience on the show but I think now my studies are taking priority."

"I don’t want to be judged on my looks and rejected day to day - when someone says something about your image it can be upsetting and I am a very sensitive person."

"But I'm a lot stronger than I thought I was - I saw this opportunity and I took it."

And Christina's tip for who will go the distance?

"I think that Sophie and Ella will do really well. Obviously I really like them but I think they have a really good look too."

Next week's BINTM...the MAKEOVER episode! We'll be live tweeting so why not join us next Thursday, 8pm, Sky Living.