But the Warwick mother-of-three now finds herself alongside presenter Kelly Osbourne in the final stages of Sky One's Project Catwalk - despite having never had any fashion design training.

Mrs Whelan, 32, was selected along with 12 other contestants to take part in the ten-week show, and she is now one of the remaining few in next week's final.

The winner will score an exclusive deal with online style boutique Oli and a spread in the fashion magazine Grazia.

She said: "When it all began I would have been happy just to make it through the first week - it's gone further than I ever dreamed it would."

Mrs Whelan, of Warwick Gates, decided to apply to go on the show after watching the previous two series with her daughter Felicity and chatting about it every week with colleagues at a millinery course at Warwickshire College.

She said: "One day the course teacher suggested that I apply, so I did. I really did not expect to hear from them, so you can imagine that when I got a phone call only two days after submitting the online application form I was thrilled.

"I think they chose me because I wasn't the normal type of applicant - the others were mainly young college graduates trying to get their big break, while I'm a housewife and mother of three with no design training."

Mrs Whelan has had to complete a wide range of design challenges using the limited resources and materials provided, and present her pieces to a panel of judges including designer Ben De Lisi, Grazia fashion editor Paula Reed and lifestyle expert and television presenter Nick Ede, with a guest judge each week.

She said: "My best design was for a challenge set by Henry Holland - to create a future fashion trend. I designed a spectacular two-piece gown. It was not chosen but I still think it's my best work.

"The whole experience has certainly opened my eyes to the world of fashion and how difficult an industry it is to get into - one minute you're in and the next minute you're out. It's as cut-throat as that."

Mrs Whelan has not worked for 11 years but she enjoys making dresses, hats and accessories for herself and her friends.

She is currently making an evening dress to wear herself to a corporate event at her husband's company.

She said: "It's difficult for me to find clothes that fit - especially dresses - so I just make them myself."

Living in the Project Catwalk house with the other contestants has been tough for her. She said: "I did miss home. At times I was quite upset to be away from my children, and being lumped with people you don't know when you're missing your family is extremely difficult."

But she said her husband Andrew, sons Oliver, 19, and Toby, 11, and daughter Felicity, eight, were very supportive.

She added: "I'd describe myself as a desperate housewife - but without the gardener."

Whether or not she emerges as winner of the show, Mrs Whelan knows she will have a future in fashion.