AN '80s icon praised the people of Chingford as she added a touch of glamour to the opening of a new boutique.

Former glamour model-turned-pop star Sam Fox cut the ribbon at an exclusive event at Paparazzi in Station Road yesterday (September 23).

The shop, formerly known as Bliss, has been operating in Chingford Mount for the last five years.

But it has now moved to bigger premises and staff and customers, including the Touch Me singer, donned glad rags to celebrate at the invite-only event.

The shop has been named after the pack of ruthless photographers who go to extremes to get a lucrative shot of celebrities because the clothes on offer are ideal for the red carpet or a night on the town.

Ms Fox said: “I always come to this shop if I have a function to go to. Sandra has lots of one-off pieces that don't break the bank.

“Today I bought something to wear on Loose Women next week. It saves you having to go all the way to the West End to go shopping.

“In my job you can't be seen in the same thing twice, so it's great to come here and buy lots of pieces at good prices.”

The blonde bombshell has made Chingford her home and her mother, aunt and uncle also live in the area.

“It is still like a little village and it has a great community. I will be walking down the street and people will say hello to me. The people here are so friendly,” she said.

Sam Fox made her name as a Page Three model in the early '80s, appearing topless in the Sun for the first time at the age of 16 and becoming one of the era's most popular glamour models.

She launched a pop career with the hit single Touch Me (I Want Your Body) and went on to sell 30 million albums worldwide.

Recently she has appeared in Reality TV shows such as Celebrity Wife Swap, Celebrity Come Dine With Me and I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here.

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