SHE was the lads’ mag pin-up that defined the noughties, and now she’s dating a Premier League manager.
With her voluptuous curves and girl-next door charm, stunning Lucy Pinder, 40, made her name as a cover star for FHM, Loaded, and Nuts.
Australian men’s lifestyle title Ralph once declared that she had the “Best Breasts in the World’.
Now, she has gone public with Southampton boss Russell Martin.
Martin, 38, has grown close to Lucy in recent months and the “besotted” pair were recently turning heads at a Sky Sports function.
The Premier League manager received an honorary degree from the University of Brighton yesterday for his charity work after setting up the Russell Martin Foundation to help young people’s lives in Sussex.
Read more football news
Lucy, 40, was with him as he was presented with his award and the duo posed for a snap on the seafront.
The Saints supporting beauty posted the picture on her Instagram story to make their relationship public.
Pinder knows a thing or two about celebrity romances having reportedly dated Captain America star in the past.
Aside from her glam photoshoots, the brunette stunner also appeared in Hollywood movie Sharknado 5.
Most read in Football
Representing Southampton on the Sky’s Soccer AM as a Soccerette was another career high.
But away from her showbiz lifestyle, Pinder has also been known to do her bit for charity.
Cover star
Men of a certain vintage will remember Pinder as one of the defining lads’ mags cover girls.
She frequently appeared in FHM, Nuts and Loaded – often topless – helping those titles sell hundreds of thousands of copies.
Her amazing looks coupled with her relatability made her the ideal woman to date.
Pinder’s modelling career began in 2003, when she was discovered by a photographer on Bournemouth beach.
After that, she graced the pages of the Daily Star where she got her big break.
In 2005, as the magazine shoots began to take off, she showed her love for the Saints – wearing their jersey for the famous Soccerettes sketch alongside regular host Tim Lovejoy.
That TV appearance paved the way for more opportunities on the small screen.
TV and film work
Lads’ mags died a death – with Nuts closing in 2014 and featuring a tearful Pinder on their final cover.
But the gorgeous Hampshire-born football fan had the foresight to explore other opportunities before their demise.
The explosion of reality TV on our shores benefitted Pinder, who found new audience.
In 2007, she appeared on The Weakest Link and didn’t wilt under Anne Robinson‘s barbs.
Then, she starred on Celebrity Big Brother where she was the first contestant to leave the house
Highlights included her revealing she hated “thick” people and her annoyance at Coolio’s constant rapping in the house, which amusingly forced her out.
Her film career began in 2012, when she played her first supporting role in the comedy horror Strippers vs Werewolves.
read more sport features
She then became a Bollywood star in action flick Waarrior Savitri, while a TV movie role came calling in 2017 with a cameo in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming as a Swedish ambassador.
Celebrity romance
It was around this time Pinder began dabbling with living in Los Angeles.
Her counterparts, including Leilani and Keeley Hazell have all made a living there.
But she reportedly found romance with a Hollywood A-lister instead.
In 2015, Pinder was spotted with Captain America star Chris Evans enjoying a date at Disneyworld.
They were all smiles as they on the Grizzly Rapids ride at the Californian theme park.
It was believed they were smitten with each other, however the relationship soon fizzled out.
Giving something back
As busy as Pinder is, she has always made time for charity.
She has a passion for animals, which has seen her work with a variety of wildlife charities.
Those include getting involved in fundraising for TigerTime, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, International Animal Rescue, and Cats Protection.
Pinder also got involved with Help for Heroes – a charity that aids the British Armed Forces community with their physical and mental health, as well as their financial, social and welfare needs.
Famously, she shot the Hot Shots Calendar in 2011 and 2014 with fifty-percent of the money made from sales going towards UK and US military charities.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Furthermore, she supported Male Cancer Awareness Campaign by taking part in a five-mile run with fellow glamour girl Rhian Sugden.
So, she’s beautiful, talented, and an all-round good egg. Lucky Russell Martin.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
