I was one of the UK’s top models… now I’m rubbing shoulders with Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola working for Man City
NATALIE PIKE swapped the world of modelling and became one of the top sports broadcasters.
Previously as one of the UK's top models, she made the jump after landing the role to showcase Manchester City's new kit for the 2008/09 season.
She had been a regular fixture in magazines such as FHM.
Natalie is now recognised as the voice of the club's Match Day Live and City Square Live broadcasts.
She has also built up an impressive list of people she has interviewed.
From the likes of famous fans such as Oasis stars Liam and Noel Gallagher and the club's Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland.
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Natalie was a fan of the Citizens during her youth and got her first season ticket to watch the club when she was 15.
She would head down to Maine Road to watch the club compete in the third tier of English football, well before the successful team that regularly picks up trophies in more recent times.
She juggled her love of football with a full-time modelling career for nine years, during which she won the FHM High Street Honeys competition.
But she gave up the glitzy life on the catwalk for a "normal job" before City came calling.
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She told the : "The club had known me after asking me to model the new kit, which must've been in about 2008, I was on the cover of the magazine and that was the greatest thing that had ever happened to me at that point!
"I always felt more of a natural presenter than a natural model but I had been just rolling with opportunities. I used to go on red carpets and things for FHM but nothing in sport.
"It started just on home games alongside my full-time job until COVID hit the world, which is when I started doing the Match Day Live show and the numbers on that are ridiculous, into the millions around the world.
"Now I do home games in the stadium and away games I do the Match Day Live show in a purpose-built studio in the Etihad because City always do things to the next level."
Natalie qualified from university with a degree in film and media studies, which has become handy as she also works with BBC Radio Manchester.
Despite becoming a veteran in the field with over a decade's experience, she still gets excited when talking to the stars of football.
She loves the team spirit that shines through in interviews.
And she admits there is a presence and humility from the likes of Erling Haaland and Pep Guardiola.
The former model even spoke with the cast of hit TV show Ted Lasso after one game at the Etihad.