A woman who was bullied at school for being ginger had the last laugh after being crowned the winner of Miss England.
Jessica Gagen, 26, overcame the bullies to regain her self-confidence following her difficult teenage years at secondary school. Jessica said she was punched, spat at and even burned because of her red locks after being tormented by cruel classmates.
She was also subjected to name-calling, having things thrown at her head and was forced to eat her school dinner in the toilets in a bid to escape the abuse. But after being signed up by a modelling agency after her A-Levels, Jessica's confidence grew as she took to catwalks across the globe.
READ MORE: Schoolgirl's devastating diagnosis after playground game goes wrong
She went on to enter Miss England and was runner-up in the grand final last year, narrowly losing out to Rehema Muthamia. Now, she has silenced the bullies to take the title of Miss England 2022 at the glitzy final held at the Holiday Inn Birmingham Airport.
Jessica, who is studying for an integrated master's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Liverpool, said she was determined more than ever to win. Jessica, from Skelmersdale, said: "Throughout secondary school, I was teased for being a redhead. I didn’t mention it much during last year’s competition as I’m a big believer in leaving negativity in the past, but with there never having been a red-haired Miss England.
“I feel it’s important to educate people about what redheads face in school and empower kids who are facing the same things I did. I was name-called on the daily, and although I don’t think the kids were being malicious in doing so, there were definitely times they were.
"I was hit, spat at and had things thrown at my head quite a few times, but the worst was when a girl burned me for having ginger hair. In Year 7 I used to eat my lunch in the school toilets because on the occasions I’d try to sit with some of the girls they’d stand up and leave me by myself.
"I used to get really upset about it all, but I’m determined to show kids who are facing the same thing that it won’t happen forever."
On Monday, Jessica beat 30 other beauty queens to take the title at the final of the prestigious pageant. She became the first redhead to win in the competition's 94-year history and will now represent England at Miss World.
Chess champion Emily Cossey, 24, from Chelsea, and HGV driver Milly Everatt, 22, from Eastoft, Lincs., were announced as second and third-place runners-up.
READ NEXT:
Schoolgirl screams 'I can't breathe' as she's kicked and choked in sickening attack
Toby Carvery customer's worst fears 'confirmed' after ringing friend
Murderer Emma Walsh was 'controlling', 'jealous' and made boyfriend's life a 'misery'
Thousands of PIP claimants can expect a new DWP decision this winter
