Miss France split over saucy pics

MISS France Committee president Geneviève de Fontenay plans to start her own contest to rival Miss France - claiming the current producers have degraded the pageant’s values.

Ms de Fontenay, who organises the regional heats, said a nude photo scandal over Miss Paris, who then appeared on a reality show filmed by Miss France producers Endemol, was the last straw.

It follows a 2008 row when winner Valérie Bègue was allowed to keep her crown despite revelations she took part in a “sexual and blasphemous” photoshoot, where she licked yoghurt off man’s chest and posed on a crucifix.

Endemol which has televised the final since 2002, say Ms de Fontenay’s contract bans her from starting a rival show.