Charlotte Dawson misses Melbourne Cup due to osteoarthritis

Charlotte Dawson has revealed that she has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.

The Australian former model and magazine editor, who is a judge on Australia's Next Top Model, said that she is giving the Melbourne Cup racing carnival a miss this year because her legs get too sore when she has to stand all day.

Dawson told the Herald Sun: "I have had knee issues for a while and, finally, when I had a break during filming, I got my x-rays and was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both legs. It is just something you get when you're a little bit older.

"As fabulous as the Cup and Derby Day would be, this year I might just put my legs up and watch it on the telly."

Earlier this week, Montana Cox was crowned the winner of this year's Australia's Next Top Model. At the grand final, Dawson described her as "without a doubt one of the best discoveries we've ever made".

Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker and reality star Kim Kardashian have both been confirmed as special guests at this year's Melbourne Cup. Other celebrity VIPs include burlesque star Dita Von Teese, Body of Proof's Nicholas Bishop and TV presenter Natalie Gruzlewski.