A former York schoolgirl's on-screen persona in a series of television adverts has been slammed as "the most irritating star of any ad on TV."

The magazine Campaign, considered to be the advertising industry 'bible', voted the AOL commercials starring Rachel Willis, daughter of Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Phil Willis, its Turkey of the Year.

In the adverts, 25-year-old Rachel plays 'Connie', a character who appears genie-like from a computer screen to help families through the mire of the Internet.

Campaign laid into the character of Connie (short for Connect) describing her as a "prissy know-all".

But Rachel's dad has sprung to the defence of his daughter's alter ego.

He said: "The joke really is that AOL have done their best business ever in the UK as a result of this advertising campaign.

"And my daughter has been booked for another three years - so there's lots more to come!"

In crowning the AOL adverts as its Turkey of the Year, Campaign judges said: "A prissy know-all is a strange choice to symbolise the exciting new-media revolution. Connie is more likely to have viewers switching off than clicking on."

Rachel, also a model, was chosen to promote AOL worldwide following her success in the adverts on these shores.

She began modelling after leaving York Sixth Form College, which she had joined following schooling at the city's Manor CE School.