BBC SPOTY favourite Keely Hodgkinson reveals fashion legend touched her cheek and called her beautiful
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KEELY HODGKINSON says being branded “beautiful” by fashion icon Giorgio Armani was the craziest thing to happen to her since becoming Olympic 800 metres champion. From the running track to the catwalk, Britain’s athletics superstar is hot property these days and she was invited to Milan in September by a major fashion brand.
![[Keely Hodgkinson says she was branded 'beautiful' by Giorgio Armani]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/keely-hodgkinson-arrives-emporio-armani-934283274.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
As someone comfortable in both spikes and stilettos, Hodgkinson was surprised to be noticed by the famous Italian designer who was enthralled with her epic display in Paris. Hodgkinson, 22, said: “The craziest thing that has happened to me? I’m going to say when I met Giorgio Armani . . .
![[The Olympic champ is frontrunner to win SPOTY tonight]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/wins-gold-photograph-marc-aspland-922850980.jpg?strip=all&w=641)
“He came over to me and put his hand on my cheek and called me ‘Bella’ (pretty in English). Which I thought was really nice. “He’s just a little man. I met him in Milan at Fashion Week briefly. He can’t speak English but he’s quite into his sport. He’s a lot older now, he’s 90 years old, but he looks great.
![[She loved being praised by fashion legend Armani]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/fashion-designer-giorgio-armani-undated-911054604.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
“He’s still heavily involved in his work. That was a really cool moment.”. It is one wonderful example that sums up the mad celebrity world that Hodgkinson now inhabits. But she has earned that as only NINE other women have won an Olympic gold medal in Team GB colours in track and field over 60 years.
![[Hodgkinson won the 800m gold in Paris]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/gold-medalist-keely-hodgkinson-team-922888376.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It is why she is the front-runner to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which is being held close to her apartment in Salford, tonight. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS. If it happens, and darts star Luke Littler is a strong challenger, she will become the fourth woman in a row to receive the accolade — a record — but ten less than the men’s longest stretch.
![[She became a national treasure with victory over the summer]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/gold-medalist-keely-hodgkinson-team-923102894_444262.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
