Gemma Ward's recent two-year hiatus from the public eye seems to be coming to an end, if not already over. Following the death of her close friend Heath Ledger, Ward took herself out of the limelight to grieve and regroup - and left fashion insiders speculating whether this spelled the end of the 22-year-old's six-year, glittering modelling career. (Ward was discovered at 14 and rose up the modelling ranks at astronomical speeds, which resulted in her being the youngest model, at 16, to star on the cover of US Vogue.)

It seems nothing could be further from the truth, judging by her recent email to The West Australian, in which she clearly states, "I have not 'quit modelling' and my fans back home can expect to see me back at work modelling and acting in the new year."  Her mother added to that by saying, "She's 22 years old and has worked incredibly hard...She's been doing some great drama theatre courses and is considering doing a three-year course in Yale which is a great possibility..." It seems that Ward is making up for lost time and proving that, like Lily Cole, some models can have beauty and brains. Jealous? Us? Either way, we're glad to welcome Ms Ward back into the fashion fold.