Miss England organisers have announced they are banning their swimwear round altogether - just two weeks after considering its return to the stage. The beauty pageant had been looking to reintroduce the bikini parade for the first time since 2009 but today revealed it would be scrapped entirely.
The controversial round had existed as an optional choice but contestants only had to submit beachwear-themed photos rather than appear on stage. Organiser Angie Beasley previously vowed she would 'refuse to bow to the woke brigade' and said she was in talks about bringing bikinis back to the stage in 2023.
But following divided opinions among beauty queens and debates on national TV and radio, she said the decision had now been made to ditch the round. Angie said the competition was 'no longer a bathing beauty parade' and now 'celebrates women achievers', meaning the bikini round 'sadly had to go'.
She said "The contestants views in the poll were very mixed, lots were saying to keep it optional. When asked if they would take part in the round, some said they would decline the opportunity if it's presented but to keep it optional for the girls that do want it in.
"Miss England and Miss World celebrates women achievers. It's been decided that the swimwear round will now be scrapped altogether from the contest for the foreseeable future.
"I know some contestants will be disappointed in this outcome but we can't please everyone. It's important that we opened up this debate to all as the contest is constantly evolving. It's no longer a bathing beauty parade.
"The focus needs to be on other factors in the contest such as the "Beauty with a Purpose" round which recognises the ethos of the contestants themselves and raises lots of funds for charities across the world. The Miss England contest also holds a sports, talent, make-up free and ethical fashion round supporting the World Against Single Use Plastic campaign in the contest along with other key influencer rounds.
"The contestants are also invited to promote the area they live in our newest Explore the Nation presenter style round at the next final. They don't need to appear on stage in swimwear, its got to go sadly. I believe it's had its day in the contest."
The swimwear parade for the Miss England beauty pageant was scrapped in 2009, following a campaign by former contestant Katrina Hodge. The serving soldier - dubbed "Combat Barbie" - said it was “degrading” and wanted to bring the focus back to topics such as her charity work.
But she later admitted she regretted her "misguided" campaign to ban swimwear rounds at beauty contests. Miss Shropshire Eloise Sarasini, 21, an entrepreneur, said she was disappointed with today's decision.
She said: "I'm so disappointed the swimwear was banned as I enjoy wearing swimwear and I've worked hard for my body. But there are nine other rounds in the Miss England final including a talent round."
But Hannah Jowle, from Blackpool, one of this year's semi finalists, was one of those delighted with the result. She said: "Confident women don't feel the need to show off their bodies."
Miss Lincolnshire Milly Everatt, 22, a farmer's daughter and model, of Eastoft, Lincs., previously said she was for keeping the controversial round. She added: "I think it’s fun and celebrates body positivity."
The reigning Miss London, Anjali Sinha, 23, a scientist from Middlesex, said: "I think the swimwear round is a wonderful platform for women to embrace their physical bodies. It empowers women to be confident in their own skin, especially as there is immense competition and comparisons on social media regarding body imagery.
"However, I understand that in pageantry it’s a lot more about our beauty from within. Hence some may think there isn’t a need for a swimwear round. In the evolving world of pageantry, it’s better to idolise women truly for what they stand for.
"Women stand for revolutionary change and we should focus more on what they want to achieve for the betterment of our world."
The current Miss England is aerospace engineering student Jessica Gagen, 27, who will compete at the 71st Miss World in India later this year.
