Ladette to Lady (2005-2008)

It is now the final week at Eggleston Hall and with just three ladettes left, the competition is stronger than ever. There has been a huge transformation in the girls over the last five weeks and now that it is coming to the end they definitely feeling the pressure. The week will be one long test for the girls; at the end of which they will face the ultimate challenge: to ‘come out’ at their ‘Graduation Ceremony’. The ceremony will be based on the Queen Charlotte Ball started by King George III in the 18th Century, which was still one of the major events of the London calendar for debutantes in the 1950’s. The big difference for our ladettes is only one girl will emerge victorious. Dance is the first lesson of the week. The girls have to practice a waltz for the graduation ceremony and already Holly is throwing tantrums. In elocution the girls are told they will each have to make a 5 minute speech which strikes fear in the heart of Romford Rebel Nicole. On the eve before the graduation ceremony the girls join the teachers for supper and they reflect on what they will take away from the hall. One of the biggest revelation is for binge drinking tiny tearaway Holly who has finally realised that “I can have one or two and still be myself and enjoy myself without falling everywhere and making a plonker of myself I suppose”. The morning of the Graduation Ceremony finally arrives. Just like the debutants of the 1950’s; each girl much execute three elements with meticulous precision: a staircase walk; an audience with members of the aristocracy and a waltz. On top of that they have to perform their nerve-wracking speeches. The girls are pampered and preened all morning to achieve the Queen Charlotte Debutant look but Louise is not impressed with the results and throws a fit. The waltzes are a success and the moving and accomplished speeches leave most of the audience and staff in tears. Finally the teachers retire to decide who is to win the honour of being called a true lady. A decision has to be made and after a long discussion with many disagreements Gill Harbourd makes her choice and there is elation as the winner is revealed.