A County Durham model has been crowned Miss International UK - and her proud dad's heartwarming reaction has melted hearts on Instagram.
Alisha Cowie, 23, is set to represent the UK in Japan this October after beating off tough competition from 57 finalists to win the pageant.
The glamorous final was held at the Parr Hall in Warrington on June 10 and saw Alisha answer questions from judges during an interview round before taking to the runway to model swimwear and evening wear.
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The professional photographer and model is no stranger to pageants, having won Miss England in 2018, but said it felt "surreal" to win after first entering the event online nearly two years ago.
"I became a finalist 20 months ago in November 2021, so it feels surreal for it to have happened," Alisha told ChronicleLive.
"I always knew that I wanted to come back to pageants. The director of Miss International UK runs a lot of pageants in the UK and she builds such a great community, so it was something I wanted to be a part of."
She continued: "I just felt pure disbelief to win. I knew that I had worked really hard and felt that I couldn't do anymore, but sometimes it is just not enough and it's not what the judges are looking for. So you never want to assume anything!
"It was nice that all my hard work had been recognised and paid off."
Alisha, who is originally from Spennymoor, wore two bespoke dresses by sponsor Alice Elizabeth Bridal in Coxhoe in the final.
In the run-up to the event, she climbed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and held raffles to raise £880 for suicide prevention charity Papyrus, £880 for domestic abuse charity Women's Aid, and £1,305 for A-Sisterhood.
And dad David Cowie from Chester-le-Street, couldn't contain his pride as Alisha was crowned. The 49-year-old jumped on stage to hug his daughter in a sweet moment that has gone viral on Instagram, with the video racking up more than 65,000 views.
Alisha said: "I was just shocked that he could get on the stage as it was really high up!
"He is a very proud person and he's not afraid to let everyone know he is proud but I didn't expect him to hurdle a 6ft stage at nearly 50.
"It is really nice that both of my parents are really supportive."
Alisha is now preparing to travel to India on a humanitarian visit with A-Sisterhood, an organisation that helps women in need around the world.
Holly Pirrie, director of Miss International UK, said: "I am thrilled for Alisha and she truly deserved to win. Alisha will be an incredible representative for the United Kingdom at Miss International and I know that she will have the trip of a lifetime in Tokyo!
"It was a beautiful moment to see her dad celebrate her success, it’s brilliant to see that love and support."
"The fundraising and volunteer work that Alisha has completed is truly outstanding. She is the definition of beauty, inside and out.’
