'Size 18 and fighting to become first plus-size Miss GB - it's time to change the stereotype'

Danielle Evans is determined to make history by becoming the first ever plus-size Miss Great Britain as she gears up for her fifth attempt at clinching the coveted title.

While previously crowned Miss Brighton twice and currently holding the title of Miss Hastings 2024, the 27-year-old is yet to secure the top spot as Miss GB but hopes it will finally be her moment this year for more than one reason.

In October, Madeleine Roche, who recently split from Coleen Nolan's son Shane, is set to pass on her Miss GB crown to one of the 51 hopefuls competing this year.

Danielle, who is a size 16-18, is optimistic about her chances this time around and is aiming to challenge the norms in the beauty world.

In an exclusive chat with Reach PLC, she said: "They are really good at promoting that diversity and that conclusion. They do welcome people from all different backgrounds and ethnicities, sizes, height and weight, which is why I wanted to enter it.

"But, it's just been as of yet that there hasn't been a plus-size winner, which obviously if a pageant system wants to promote that, it will be good to actually have that as a winner."

Danielle passionately added: "Every woman is different and if every Miss GB came out the same, it would be very boring. Everyone's got their own story to tell and personally, I'm going into it as someone who is focusing on representation, inclusion and diversity. If I win or not, I will always do that."

Just like her and Miss Universe's first plus-size contestant Jane Dipika Garrett, Danielle is eager to encourage more women above the average size to audition for the contest and urges them not to let any negativity deter them.

Having been in the industry for four years now, the former rugby star is no stranger to the harsh comments of social media trolls, but has learned to ignore them.

"At the start I found it quite hurtful because obviously I had never stuck my head above the parapet," she shared.

"I got called things like a KitKat chunky, a whale, or a porker, I think I've heard it all at this point.

"As time has gone on, I've been in the pageant world doing Miss Great Britain now for the last four years, you develop a slightly stronger thicker skin."

In another part of her mission, Danielle aims to challenge the misconceptions surrounding those who are plus-size, emphasising that a person's appearance isn't always a reflection of their diet.

The journey to where she is today wasn't easy for Danielle after she was given just a five per cent survival rate following her birth at 26 weeks.

At the time, she was the size of an adult's hand and doctors advised her parents to say their goodbyes as they didn't believe she could be saved.

"I was born at 26 weeks, so 14 weeks early. My mum had Pre-eclampsia so mum and I were rushed into hospital and she was told to make a choice between me and her, and that they would do anything they could to save me," she recalled.

"I was then born very prematurely, I weighed less than a pound, I was about the size of a normal adult hand."

Reflecting on her slim chances, she added: "I was given a five percent chance of survival and my parents were actually told to say their goodbyes, I believe this was on Christmas Eve."

After being born, Danielle spent three months in an incubator under the care of medical staff who worked tirelessly to keep her alive.

However, still being weak from the premature birth, she was left with health issues, including a brain bleed and chronic lung disease.

Now as an adult, she faces ongoing challenges, such as breathing difficulties and pleurisy.

Yet, Danielle is determined not to let her health problems define her life and aims to be a source of inspiration for others.

She shared: "Something I'm really keen to promote is saying to people that it doesn't matter how you started off in life or whatever or how you currently live your life.

"In terms of me, walking up and down the stairs is a struggle sometimes, but it's about saying you can still do the things you want to do in life."