Here come the Girls: The Naughty Nicolas
How long have you know each other?
Nicola M: Just under a year and a half. We met on Valentines Day 2008 at the Premier League in Manchester.
What do you do together in your spare time?
Nicola M: We try to meet for lunch every fortnight on a Friday in Liverpool. We both have busy schedules so it’s good to catch up and find out what we’ve both been up to if we haven’t worked together.
Do you do a lot of jobs together?
Nicola M: Yes we do. We work well together and most of the different agencies we’re with have picked up on that so we tend to get booked as a duo. We’re the same but different, which works well in our favour. Working for Sky and Whyte & Mackay has helped with that though. We know each other so well we work brilliantly together and always enjoy ourselves on any job we do!
Do you ever argue?
Nicola M: I don’t think we’ve ever argued or disagreed over anything. We have a really good working relationship which has developed into a friendship over the last year.
Nikki C: No – Nicola is nearly 30 so she’s like the mum and I’m too laid back to argue! We’ve never found anything to argue over and if there’s ever any problems we’ll talk about it and compromise.
Do you go out shopping together, and if so, what are you like when it comes to buying clothes?
Nicola M: Yes we do – it’s are favourite thing! We do a lot of shopping when it comes to buying clothes for work. When we were at Blackpool last year for the World Matchplay we had to go and buy some new dresses and we got nine in an hour, spending under £200! We had a ball trying all the different clothes on and deciding what dress to get to complement the different players. We loved the matching blue and green ones we got – we didn’t get to keep them though.L
Nikki C – Primark equals Moriarty! [Laughs] Yes we’ve been shopping together and we’ve been phone shopping together (talking to each other on the phone telling each other what to buy). As we work together a lot, we usually get matching outfits. Neither of us are high maintenance – we both love our bargains. It’s easier for us girls as we can get our clothes pretty cheap and dress them up without anybody realising! My best buy was a £10 dress from Tesco which has lasted me about three years – it’s simple but very smart! It’s been worn for a few of the first darts walk-ons!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Nicola M: I love being with my family and friends. I have a son, Samuelle, who’s five, and a stepdaughter, Olivia, who’s four. We’re always having days out with the kids, and going on family holidays is what I love to do the most. They grow up so fast and I work away a lot so when I’m not working we always do something fun.
Nikki C: On the days that I’m off I like to go out with my mates. There’s a couple of us who have quad bikes and motocross bikes so we all go out to a track or woods and have a day out there! It’s great when it’s been raining and we get absolutely covered in mud! You definitely wouldn’t expect to see me walking on darts players after a day out on them! I also love go-karting. I’m a big kid really and love all the adventure stuff! I do go the gym every so often but don’t find it overly enjoyable. My friend is really into fitness so I go with her, but give me a DVD, fluffy dressing-gown and a chicken korma any night.
Do you enjoy a bit of gaming?
Nicola M: I have to admit I love my DS. Greg [Nicola’s partner – sorry fellas!] got me one for Christmas so when I’m on the train or sat getting my hair and make-up done for work, I’ll play Super Mario Bros. I love it! It reminds of the old square Nintendo I had when I was a kid.
Nikki C: I’d rather not tell anyone but I’ll share a secret with you all… I haven’t played computer games for years and years and then about two weeks ago I bought The Sims 3 – well, the only time I leave the computer now is to sleep, shower and eat! It’s the best game since Pac-Man and Space Invaders!
What’s your favourite food and drink?
Nicola M: At the minute I’m loving Mexican food but I’ll never say no to a Chinese. When it come to a drink my fave is Southern Comfort, lime and lemonade, but I also wouldn’t say no to Magners
Nikki C: My favourite take-away food is chicken korma, rice and coconut naan bread. If I go out to a restaurant I’ll order medium-rare steak with Diane sauce, a side plate of chips and cheesy garlic bread! Proper model food!
What would be your ideal night out and who would you like to spend it with?
Nicola M: A nice meal with all of my girlfriends, followed by a few drinks, then hitting the town and dancing the night away!
Nikki C: Get me on an easyJet flight to Ibiza with my mates – and any darts fans are welcome too!
Do you have any bad habits?
Nicola M: Of course I don’t [Laughs]
Nikki C: My dad always tells me I’m not perfect but I’m still trying to figure out why! My worst habit is probably ordering everything on a menu when I go out and not eating half of it – that’s just called’ greedy’ though!
Where’s your favourite place to go on holiday?
Nicola M: I don’t really have a favourite place, to be honest – I just love going on holiday in general. I’ve always wanted to go to a place called Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos. It’s a Northern Caribbean private island. Its looks amazing and I’ve been told it’s fabulous.
Nikki C: Sun, sea and sand - Blackpool beach baby!
Do you have any pets?
Nicola M: Two goldfish – Ben 10 and Spider-Man, both of whom my son kindly named.
Nikki C: A golden lab called Fudge. He’s gorgeous! I used to have seven rabbits, two goldfish and a mouse called Jessica.
Do you play a musical instrument?
Nicola M: Unfortunately no. My Dad taught me how to play guitar when I was in primary school but I haven’t played for 18 years.
Nikki C: I can play the piano. I got up to grade 5 and play every so often when I’m at home, I stopped when I was about 14 but can still play most of my books still. Toss me a recorder and I could probably give that a good blast too.
What kind of music do you like?
Nicola M: Most types. My fave artist is Prince and I’m always listening to Smooth FM in my car.
Nikki C: A bit of everything. I was bought up listening to Queen, Every five-hour drive on the camping trips we went on when we were younger, Freddie Mercury would be blasting out of the stereo – there and back! In my car at the moment I have some funky-house, David Guetta, Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, Frank Sinatra, Alanis Morissette, Natalie Imbruglia, Phil Collins… I could go on!
What’s your favourite TV show?
Nicola M: My all-time fave TV show is Friends, but at the minute I love watching Bear Grylls – he’s off his head but funny too.
Nikki C: Jezza Kyle – only joking! I always like the auditions for The X-Factor but my favourite is Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love-Hewitt! Scary!
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
Nicola M: The most famous person I’ve ever met is probably Tiger Woods. I was working at The Open when it was at Hoylake for Lexus. He was lovely, really down to earth.
Nikki C: Moriarty will need to help me out! Erm Steven Gerrard, Daglish, Phil Taylor, Ricky Hatton and Mike Tyson.
What’s the best thing about your job/being a model?
Nicola M: Every job I do is different. I’ve experienced so much and met so many different and interesting people. I get to travel a lot, which I love. I’m really happy with my career to date and most of it has been based on being in the right place at the right time. Working for Sky and the PDC was one of the best jobs I’ve ever had. Me and Nikki love it. When I was competing in pageants I had an amazing time and met people from all over the world.
Nikki C: The best thing would be not having to sit in an office every day, especially in lovely weather, and having the opportunity to work when I want or have as much time off as I want. Obviously there are downsides to it – I actually hate wearing make-up in the daytime! But I’m grateful that I’ve been given the opportunities I have within modelling and I really enjoy all the work that I do. Realistically, I’m not going to stay young forever and there may be a time when I need to look at working in other areas. I love children and have a diploma in Early Years which I will eventually go into. But while I can, I’m going to enjoy myself and make the most out of these modelling opportunities!
Is there a part of your body that you’re not happy with?
Nicola M: I actually don’t hate anything about my body. I did when I was in my early 20s – I was always moaning about one thing or another – but as I’ve gotten a little older I’ve learnt to love what I’ve got. At the end of the day, if I wasn’t who I am, I wouldn’t have been working on the darts or had any of the other opportunities if had over the last five and a half years.
Nikki C: Yes – my legs! They’re too skinny and my knees are knobbly! [Laughs] I don’t think you could find many women who are completely happy with their appearance.
Are you a neat freak or more laid back?
Nicola M: Being a mum, I like to make sure the house is clean and tidy, but I don’t let that get in the way of anything. I think you need to find a balance.
Nikki C: Horizontal! I’m pretty laid back in most respects but I can’t stand living in mess or having a boyfriend who leaves dirty socks all over the place. I like a nice tidy and clean kitchen and bathroom. I hate clutter and being female, it’s difficult not to accumulate bits and bobs – moisturisers, hair products, perfumes, jewellery, bags, make-up… I tend to put all my stuff in bags and boxes and keep them in my wardrobe!
Can you describe your ideal man?
Nicola M: Kind, considerate, romantic, funny, handsome basically everything my partner is. I’ve been unlucky in love in the past but I’ve got it right this time.
Nikki C: They would have to be taller than me (I’m 5’11” flat foot), down to earth, and someone I can laugh with. They’d also have to be someone who wouldn’t be possessive and controlling as I do a lot of travelling with my job and I couldn‘t let any man hinder me in making my own money and having a career.
Oh, and my ideal man would be someone who brings me a bacon butty in bed and smiles while he’s making it – and I’d smile picking up his dirty socks!