The pair are the first mother and daughter duo to both reach the Miss England finals in the competition’s 97 year history – and one of them wants to become the next Miss World
Britain’s most glamorous mum and daughter have made history by reaching the Miss England finals – 40 years apart.
Tabitha Bennett, 20, was crowned Miss Lancashire last week to reach the beauty pageant’s national final after her mum Vicky, 60, did the same back in 1986.
The pair are the first mother and daughter duo to both reach the Miss England finals in the competition’s 97 year history. While Vicky made the top 15 almost four decades ago, Tabitha is hoping to go one better to take the crown and have the chance to become the next Miss World.
She was encouraged to enter the competition by her mother who used to compete in swimsuits during the 80s alongside Miss England director Angie Beasley.
Tabitha, of Knutsford, Cheshire, said: “My mum had always encouraged me to enter pageants and one day I just thought why not.
“I won Miss Cheshire in my first ever competition, which got me through to the Miss Great Britain final, where I won the public vote.
“Then I won Miss Blackpool, which is an independent event, and that was very special because my mum also won it back in 1984.
“But Miss England is the ultimate goal for everyone. It’s the most exciting thing as you could become Miss World.”
Vicky, who owns a baby supplies shop, won ‘hundreds’ of beauty pageants at events during her teens and early 20s.
Back in the 1980s, Vicky even competed alongside current Miss England director Angie Beasley in competitions up and down the country.
But she said nothing beats seeing her daughter following in her footsteps and hopes former rival Angie will be able to crown her daughter Miss England.
Vicky said: “When she’s out there, she just transforms into a different girl – she’s so relaxed and laid back but you can see she’s out there to win it.
“It does make you proud to see her out there doing the same as I was.”
The Daily Star recently reported that the Miss England competition is considering scrapping its ‘Bare Face Top Model’ round after the idea was panned by beauty queens who have taken part in the contest.
Organisers had been running the round for the last six years as a way to promote natural beauty and a more realistic body image.
But the concept – designed to empower women by focusing on natural looks – has received a backlash from some current and former contestants.
Some have argued the no make-up round prevents women from being able to make their own choices about their appearance.
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