A Bermudian woman living in Britain has been accepted as a finalist in a nationwide beauty pageant.

Anthasia Campbell, 25, was chosen as the wild card entry in the 2026 Miss England pageant, allowing her to compete in Leicester for a chance to win the crown.

If successful, she could represent England in the Miss World competition next year in Tanzania.

Ms Campbell, from Hope Valley, Derbyshire, said: “Becoming a finalist in the Miss England Pageant was such a surreal experience as I was never the most confident person in the room due to anxiety.

“It also made me feel such a sense of pride because I would have never imagined that my first ever time signing up to a pageant would lead me this far.

“I am so proud to represent Bermuda as their first ever contestant to reach the Miss England final.”

Ms Campbell, a receptionist and dispenser for a doctor’s office, said she first entered Miss England in May when she competed in the Miss East Midlands regional heat.

She secured her place in the Miss England semi-finals after winning the talent round for her competitive cheerleading display and being top fundraiser after collecting £650 for the environmental and humanitarian Vayyu Foundation.

Ms Campbell then participated in the Miss England semi-finals on October 11.

She said she initially didn’t earn a spot in the finals, but added: “I received an e-mail three weeks later that unfortunately a contestant had dropped out of the final and they would like to offer me a wild-card entry due to my hard work.”

Ms Campbell follows fellow Bermudians to run for Miss England, but said she is the first to make it to the grand finals.

Tomei Swan was accepted into the Miss Leicestershire 2023 pageant as part of the competition, while Madison Looby competed for Miss England in 2022.

Ms Campbell admitted that, as someone with ADHD, competing in Miss England had been a challenge for her as it allowed her to compete outside of her comfort zone.

She explained: “I have always realised that I am a bit different from everyone else in the way that I learn and act.

“I have these short bouts of energy which would, over time, make me very tired and I get bored very easily.

“To be able to compete in the Miss England pageant, you have to be focused for very long periods of time on stage, back stage and also during events.

“So I have really tried my hardest to be able to do that.”

She said she also lives with anxiety but noted that she started therapy sessions this year, to great benefit.

Ms Campbell said: “Competing in Miss England has also given me a new-found sense of confidence because it has proven to me that I can do hard things and that I can be successful when I do them and I am so proud of myself.”

She said the support of her family circle and friends has played a “huge part” in her confidence.

Ms Campbell said she hoped to use her position to advocate for causes that are important to her.

Ms Campbell described herself as a “passionate sport enthusiast” having competed in track and field, cross-country running, netball and competitive cheerleading.

She said she hoped to showcase majorette skills gained as a child during the finals in memory of the late Brijette Basden, a track star and kindergarten teacher who died in a road crash in North Carolina last October.

She said: “Brijette was a very inspirational young lady who was also a sports enthusiast throughout her life and a well-loved teacher.

“It was such a pleasure to know Brijette for a short period of her short life.

“I was so sad to hear that she had passed away but I am so ready to honour her memory.”

Ms Campbell encouraged Bermudians to vote for her at Miss England’s website or using the 1 Zone app.

Voting ends on November 16, with the winner crowned the following day.