'Kate Upton furious after Victoria's Secret use her image without permission in racy lingerie giant's new catalogue'

Kate Upton is 'furious' Victoria's Secret used photos of her in their catalogue.

The blonde pin-up is said to be shocked to discover old images of her posing in the brand's black Body bra gracing the pages of the lingerie brand's new catalogue - reportedly without her permission, reports the New York Post.

Kate, 20, is seen wearing a black Body by Victoria bra on the back of the newest Victoria's Secret catalogue.

The photos surfaced online on Tuesday much to the 20-year-old star's surprise since she was branded too 'obvious' looking to model their underwear in 2012, after a spokesperson insisted they would never use her.

A source told The New York Post: 'The pictures are from 2011. Kate's not currently contracted to work with Victoria's Secret, and they didn't contact her before they used these images.'

Kate's popularity is on the rise, with the last year seeing her land covers for the likes of Vogue and Sports Illustrated magazines as well as campaigns for Mercedes-Benz and Accessorize.

The model also made FHM Sexiest Women in the World 2013 list, ranking at number 8.

But her appearance in the catalogue certainly came as a surprise after a model booker for Victoria's Secret, Sophia Neophitou told The New York Times: 'We would never use Kate… She's like a footballer's wife, with the too-blond hair and that kind of face that anyone with enough money can go out and buy.'

Ms Neophitou appears to be alone in her opinion of Miss Upton though. The model, who shot to fame after landing the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2012, has become the darling of the fashion set.

In just under 18 months, she has appeared on three Vogue covers, fronted the inaugural issue of CR Fashion Book, and posed in photo shoots for V Magazine, Terry Richardson and Harper's Bazaar.

But while Miss Upton has never been an official Angel, it would seem that she has maintained a relationship with Victoria's Secret since her teens.

Buzzfeed reveals that she modelled pyjamas for the brand back in 2011, when she would have been about 18, well before her Sports Illustrated fame.

Victoria's Secret have not yet responded to MailOnline's request for comment.

A certain look: Victoria's Secret's fashion show casting director says she 'would never use' Kate Upton