A BALA writer who shot to internet fame two years ago has been shortlisted for a top award.

Former Ysgol y Berwyn pupil Michelle Thomas first found fame in the summer of 2015 when she “dashed off a quick 800-word blog before popping to the pub” about a failed Tinder date.

The post had been about dating a potential suitor who she had met on the internet app who decided not to see her again despite admitting that he “adored her” on their date the previous night.

His reason? In his words: “Whilst I am hugely turned on by your mind, your face, your personality, I can’t say the same about your figure.”

In her internet blog, Michelle admitted to being “wounded” by the barbed message but soon set him straight on all manner of issues including ‘bodyshaming’ and general manners.

When she returned to her desk later that night, she was pleased to see that her post had gained some traction and had been shared dozens of times.

Soon the number of internet interactions increased meteorically and garnered 400,000 hits worldwide.

She has subsequently been interviewed on radio and held the attention of television audiences in London, Chicago, and Melbourne.

Since she shot to fame, the author and lifestyle blogger, who know lives in Bristol, has harnessed her success to help promote her ‘healthy bodies and healthy minds’ message.

In her latest success, Michelle has been announced as a finalist for the Radio and Audio Funding Award, funded by the Whicker’s World Foundation.

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