Ellen DeGeneres was the inspiration for Miss Congeniality character

TV talk show star Ellen Degeneres has revealed she was the inspiration behind the 2000 film Miss Congeniality.

Sandra Bullock played a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent who goes undercover as a beauty pageant contestant, and the Oscar host explains the writer came up with the idea while watching her rehearse for an awards show.

DeGeneres tells Parade magazine, "Miss Congeniality was written based on me. When I was getting ready to co-host the Emmys, the writer saw me (on TV) learning how to walk in a dress and heels. My stylist at the time - a man - was teaching me, and it was hilarious. The Miss Congeniality writer saw it and thought it was brilliant."