It's been impossible to escape omnipresent Icelandic model Ásdis Rán over the past couple of years in Bulgaria. And some of us don't want to. A habituee of the chat show circuit, her assets have adorned innumerable magazines, including the recent issue of Playboy. You haven't noticed, you say? (liar!)

Ásdis is very blonde (naturally), very self-assured about her effect on men, and very ambitious. She may be a WAG (her husband is professional footballer Gardar Gunlaugson who until recently played for CSKA Sofia) but she's determined to make a career in her own right. She also points out that she has been voted the most beautiful woman in Bulgaria.

So you don't like this immodesty and threaten to stop reading? If you're a man, you're probably lying again. And as Jack Nicholson's Garrett Breedlove says in that wonderful movie Terms of Endearment, when berated by Shirley MacLaine's Aurora for using his profession as a sex trap, "everyone uses what they have".

Ásdis (31), is indeed very beautiful, although some of her accoutrements may have been ever so slightly modified. Naturally, her features are "exotic" for Bulgaria: the accusing, deep-set wide blue eyes, the high cheekbones and pink, flawless complexion – the Aryan ice queen.  

A resident of Reykjavik for most of her life, Ásdis first came to Bulgaria two years ago with her family when her husband signed his contract with CSKA. Before that she lived in Sweden, Scotland and Iceland.

Surprisingly, despite the carefully cultivated raunchy image, Ásdis is the mother of three children. She had her first baby when she was just 17. Does she find it difficult balancing motherhood and career?

"I don’t have much time to waste but I manage to do all these parts quite well. I’m happy to keep very busy," says Ásdis. "There are no rules about how much time kids need but I’d say they get enough. I really don’t have much help beside my husband and daycare. The key is not to be lazy and use your time wisely. No woman can have it ALL. But if we work hard we can – for sure – have most of it."

Contest
Bulgarian women are justly renowned for their beauty. It's their height and slimness – after all, you seldom catch a Sofia babe scoffing chips in a cafe – the giraffe-like pins, the jet-black smooth and silky mane as well as their naturally well-sculpted features. This brings us to the 64 million krona/leva question. Are Icelandic women more beautiful than Bulgarian women? Momentous decision. It's like asking who's the best boxer of all time – Muhammad Ali or Joe Louis? Best movie – Gone With The Wind or Citizen Kane? Most annoying (British) TV host of all time – Noel Edmonds or Hughie Green? It could be a nail-biting photo-finish. Answers on a postcard, please.

I put it to Ásdís, granted not an impartial referee, but nevertheless someone with lovely legs in both countries.

"Both countries have beautiful women, so it just depends on your taste," she says.

I press her slightly – not literally, of course.

"Bulgarian women may have the more glamorous and sexy appearance," she says. "For natural beauty, however, Iceland wins. We have had three Miss Worlds, amazing when you think of our small population (300 000)."

And who would dare contradict her? Ásdis would summon up the spirit of her Viking ancestors, draw a sword and impale my manhood if I argued.

And are blonde models, I wonder, more popular than dark-haired or black models? Apart from Naomi Campbell, of course, I can't think of many black supermodels.

"Actually in eastern Europe, there’s probably more demand for brunettes," says Ásdis, who also runs a modelling agency. "It’s more business-savvy for companies because most of the world is darker and they sell the product better using models who fit their market. Many black models are very popular, but not in eastern Europe, so maybe you don’t notice."

So much for my knowledge of the international modelling scene.

"But it's true that blondes rule the male fantasy world and probably make the more popular glamour-models," she adds.

Ah, really?

Within or without
Allow me a momentary digression, but one ultimately relevant to our discussion. This concerns the prize for the most irritating and nonsensical statement of recent times. We will announce the winners in reverse order.

Bronze medal. "Life goes on", said by idiots after a loved one dies. Nonsense! It stops right there. NEVER say this to the bereaved.

Silver medal: "One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter." This plagiarised platitude comes from apologists for violence, usually charlatans who like to lay claim to a modicum of intellectual sophistication. Not much consolation to innocents blown up on the whim of nutcases.  

Gold medal: "True beauty comes from within." Notice that this strange statement, so often uttered but seldom challenged, usually comes from gorgeous actresses – the Elizabeth Taylors, the Catherine Deneuves.

So what does Ásdis say? Can a "plain" woman come across as attractive because of the "beauty" of her personality?

"This can be true but, of course, a great deal of beauty comes from the outside as well," she says. "So good looks and great personality wins."

So there you are, you can be sweetness personified – the nicest person of all time – but if you're a frumpy female garage hand you will not adorn the front cover of Playboy. Sorry about that.

Would Ásdis agree to plastic surgery if she thought it would enhance her appearance further?

"No, I’m very self-confident," says Ásdis, as if the two are mutually exclusive.

Really, we hadn't noticed!

"I’m proud of what I have after giving birth naturally three times, so I would never do a lot of plastic surgery," she says. "I’m not interested in changing my look or appearance, although I’m not against plastic surgery as such. I’ve done breast surgery and if I would like to fix something simple in the future to look younger for longer I would probably go for it," she says.

Like many models, Ásdís has a strict health and dietary regime.

"I eat very healthily most of the time – high protein food and a lot of vegetables – I don’t like junk food. I train hard about three to five times a week and I drink only water (or wine), no sodas. But I love to eat good food and drink good wines, so when I’m out for a nice evening I allow myself to eat and drink what I want. Life would be boring if I was on a strict diet every day. I eat a lot of chocolate but in small doses and I love to eat Sushi. I’m always trying out some new creams or treatments on my body to keep the skin tight and soft. If you want to keep your looks after you have kids you have to work constantly on it."

In darkness and light
Iceland is a country that until recently has been off people's radar screens. Basically, for the uninitiated, including me, Iceland is famous for eternal darkness followed by eternal light, former Mastermind host Magnus Magnusson, Bjork and bankruptcy.

Ásdis looks ready to draw her sword again. I have misrepresented her nation.

"Most people know, or are well informed, that it’s a very popular destination because of the exotic pure nature (and volcanoes), culture, great night life – and last, but not least, beautiful Icelandic women. Iceland is very romantic during dark winters and in the summer it's light 24 hours, and fun as well," says Ásdis.

Sadly, for men in Bulgaria in particular, Ásdis is now off to pastures anew. Her husband has just signed a two-year long contract with a team in Munich.

"He has already moved over there and I’m here with the kids until we get an apartment and kindergarten sorted out. It’s sad for me to leave Bulgaria. I’ve managed to grow so nicely in the Bulgarian community in the past two years. I’ve had a lot of fun and worked with some great people. It can be so scary to move to a new country where you don’t know anyone. I also have to start my career again from zero and that sucks. But, hopefully, Germany will offer me some new exciting opportunities."

And what would Ásdis like to be doing in 20 to 30 years time when, presumably, her modelling days are over?

"Well then it’s my time! Hopefully then I will be able to just relax, travel to exotic locations and do some wild things! And of course enjoy time with my grandchildren on the side."
I'm sure that Bulgaria's loss will be Germany's gain. It's a pretty safe bet that you have not heard the last of the ice queen.

Ok, Colonel Blimp, your wife's coming back soon. You better turn over the page.

Asdis' official website: www.icelandicbeauty.com
Her fan page: www.facebook.com/asdis.aka.icequeen
Her new song: Feel my body