Miss England axe ‘outdated’ bikini spherical as ladies judged on one thing extra ‘vital’
Famous beauty pageant Miss England have been working on rejigging their supposedly ‘outdated’ competition and introducing new rounds to update the show – with one unexpected change
Miss England beauty queens will take part in a brand new round following the axing of its swimwear contest – learning how to do CPR.
Glamorous contestants will now be judged on their life-saving skills instead of bikini modelling as part of the new-look Miss England competition. Rather than treading the catwalk in skimpy beachwear, the girls will be required to showcase their talents at being able to perform chest compressions and mouth to mouth. The 97-year-old competition recently ditched its swimwear round as it bids to move away from ‘outdated’ beauty pageant stereotypes.
And it will be replaced with a brand new “CPR Queen” which has been has been introduced this year thanks to current Miss England Milla Magee. Miss England 2025 will now include the qualifying rounds of sports, talent, make-up-free, an ethical fashion show and now a CPR challenge.
Milla is currently campaigning to get CPR taught in every school in England and has received the backing of MPs and Prince William. The future King even wrote to Milla this week wishing her well ahead of her jetting out to compete in Miss World next month.
At the semi-final in October, qualified lifeguard Milla will choose a “CPR Queen” to advance to the next Miss England final. The winner will be selected from contestants who put in the most effort sharing CPR skills either on social media or in their community via the likes of schools.
Miss England director Angie Beasley said: “I’m really excited to see Milla take her Beauty with a Purpose project Go Far With CPR, to Miss World in Telangana, India, next month. “The need to learn CPR is universal, and her project could really make a difference.
“I have to admit I didn’t know how to perform CPR before I met Milla, and it’s not something any of us really think about until we are faced with an emergency, but I’m glad I know how to do it now.
“Realising how important this knowledge is has made both Milla and myself want to share this with the future contestants. Now it’s an actual round where they can make the shortlist if they support the project will give them even more of an incentive to learn this potentially lifesaving skill.
“I think it will be a great addition to the competition this year.”
Milla hopes to get CPR training made mandatory in schools across England and is calling on new contestants to raise awareness. She said: “When my grandparents suffered heart attacks at home, no one knew what to do. Family members waited for help that came too late.
“If just one of them had known CPR, maybe their story-and mine-would be different. That’s why I’m fighting to make CPR training mandatory in schools. No one should have to stand by helplessly when a life could be saved.
“I hope the contestants and indeed anyone reading this will sign my petition to help gain support and recognition in Parliament”. She added: “With so much conflict in the world this skill has never been as important as it is now.
“I am grateful to Miss England and Miss World for the opportunity to make real change. If a person collapses, due to any circumstance, when you perform CPR you are breathing for that person.
“You can keep someone alive until the emergency services arrive. You have the power to save a life with your bare hands, wherever you are around the world.
“It is so important we empower, educate and encourage our younger generations, leaving a positive legacy for them.”
Milla’s petition can be found here.
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