The Girls aloud star has announced her support for the promotion of fashionable underwear to accommodate colostomy bags.

Ms Coyle will act as ambassador for Vanilla Blush - who design underwear with a built in pouch to conceal the bags - when she appears at a nursing conference in Arizona along with models from the firm.

The Glasgow based company that designs the sexy lingerie, was set up by thirty three year old Nicola Dames after an operation to remove her large intestine left her wearing an ileostomy bag. She describes how the idea took shape: “In 2006 I underwent major bowel surgery. My large colon was removed and as a result I had to wear a bag. Although well prepared and supported for this operation once I got home I started to realise that there was a major problem; the major problem was not my body but my underwear!

“I literally had to bin 99% of my sexy, classy and chic lingerie. Although comfortable with my ileostomy bag no woman wants to see it sticking up or popping out! And it turned out the problem was not just my lingerie but all the available High Street lingerie. Truly I was dumbfounded because, after years of working in the fashion industry, I always thought there was clothing for everyone and every time. How wrong was I?

“To put it bluntly, I was not prepared to compromise my femininity for a lifetime of ‘Bridget Jones’ fuddy-duddy knickers. I may have lost my large intestine but I have not lost my sexiness. And this is why I took the positive step of establishing ‘Vanilla Blush’.”

Ms Coyle became involved after her friend – twenty one year old hairstylist Connor Grant – had surgery which left him needing a bag for the rest of his life. She said, “I was amazed at the negative connotations that surrounds people with a stoma and also shocked at the lack of exposure in the mainstream media. This is one taboo which I am right on board in helping to smash.”

Ms Dames said she wanted nurses to appreciate the psychological impact that wearing attractive underwear can have for people who needed to have a colostomy bag. She too is determined to smash the taboo:  ”I am so excited to have Nadine on board. It’s phenomenal to have such a celebrity figure supporting Vanilla Blush and raising awareness. With Nadine on board this is a real chance to smash the last remaining taboo.”

Mr. Grant - who will also attend the conference as a hairstylist & model – said: “I just want to do something positive from a negative situation.

“I have gone from someone who didn’t want anyone to know about the colostomy bag, to someone who can now speak about it openly.

“I am nervous about the modelling, but Nadine is coaching me and helping me. She really likes the campaign and that means so much to me.”

The Girls Aloud singer will also be donating one of her tops & a personal letter to raise money to help fund the trip.