Elle Macpherson is in a backlash with Britain's Next Top Model co-star Julien Macdonald after he said that only skinny girls should be on the catwalk.

The designer verbally attacked "plus-size" contestant Simone Clark, who was only a size 10.

Macpherson defended Clark, saying that models with different figures become successful in the industry.

"We've got beautiful girls in all different shapes and sizes on the show," she told TV Biz.

"As far as I'm concerned we have a great variety going on here."

Macpherson replaced Lisa Snowdon as the host and one of the judges in this year's show, which will start airing on Monday at 9pm.

"There's too much emphasis on models' sizes. As far as I'm concerned I don't have an issue with people's bodies.

"I produce lingerie for all different shapes and sizes and my size D to G-cup bras sell more than anything else," she said.

Macdonald made offensive comments after finding out that Clark was a contestant on the Living series.

According to him, any model who's larger than a tiny size 6 or 8 would be a laughing stock.

"This is a serious show. A catwalk model is a size six to eight," he said.

"You can't have a plus-size girl winning - it makes it a joke."

But Macpherson disagreed and said that size doesn't matter - it's the shape that counts.

"There's a certain body type that actually looks better in clothes than others.

"In the fashion industry we will look for certain types of bodies, but it's not nearly as narrow as one might think."