A grandmother is set to make history as the oldest contender to compete in the grand finale of the Miss Great Britain beauty pageant. Ann-Marie Harper, 71, from Prestwick, Ayrshire, will take to the stage at Leicester's The Athena on Friday with 16 other competitors.
Known on social media as Glamour Gran Ann, the retired hairdresser posts make-up tutorials, outfits and inspirational videos to her 57,000 followers. She says: "I'm flying the flag for OAPs. Getting older does not mean becoming any less fabulous. And I plan to take the crown."
A Chance Taken
Ann-Marie was approached to take part in Ayrshire's inaugural Miss Great Britain Classic pageant for the over-45s. She says: "When Miss Great Britain was put forward to me, I said to myself, 'You know, if somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, you take it.'"
She adds: "I quickly realised that pageantry is not about all the gorgeous girls, but about touching hearts. And, what can I say, it was the best excuse I've ever had to dress up to the nines!"
The Ayrshire pageant in June involved three fashion segments: fashion wear, eveningwear and swimwear. She was the oldest person to clear a regional heat but was unfazed. Ann-Marie says: "Who says you reach an age where you can't wear a swim suit? I strutted my stuff on that stage like everyone else. I was nervous, but I'm no stranger to the stage. I'm a dancer, and I've been on TV – I danced on Graham Norton!"
Pageant Format and Charity Work
The modern Miss Great Britain pageants are split into three categories: "Miss" is open to contestants aged 18 to 30, "Ms" welcomes those aged 31 to 44, and "Ms Classic" shines a spotlight on women aged 45 and over. Organisers say: "It is a format that feels both refreshing and purposeful, recognising that confidence, ambition and presence do not belong to one age group alone."
Ann-Marie also had to do an interview, a critical segment where contestants speak live to the audience. She says: "This bit was me to a tee. I do a lot of charity work. I've been raising funds for the Ayrshire-based Community Led Action Support Project, a charity that combats isolation and improves health and wellbeing for people aged 50 and over."
She adds: "Loneliness is an epidemic in this country and it's partly because as a society, older people are written off. We should be reaching out to these people, not forgetting them. These people may have a wrinkle or two now but they were full of life and danced their way through the 50s."
Personal Journey and Support
Ann-Marie has advanced to the top 16 for the talent award – a separate event judged on overall performance and entertainment – with an ice-skating entry. She has worked with The Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow for the past eight years, for their annual (A Little Less) Strictly Come Dancing fundraiser. Ann-Marie says: "I am the head make-up artist and a little sparkle makes everyone feel a million dollars."
Beauty has given her the confidence which was stripped from her at school, growing up in Glasgow. Ann-Marie says: "I was dyslexic, although undiagnosed, and shoved in the corner of the class - or told to stand outside. I believed I was stupid because I was told I was stupid. I wasn't expected to amount to anything."
She adds: "But growing older is realising that it was all part of my journey. It was meant to be, because it's made me who I am. It's given me compassion for other people, and it makes me realise that everybody's different. We just all learn in different ways."
Ann-Marie is married to William, 71, a former signal technician who works with the Red Cross Charity. They have two grown-up children and three grandchildren. She says: "They are my rocks. My whole family is so supportive. I couldn't do it without them."
Although she admits William doesn't like it when she wears her crown to the supermarket. Ann-Marie says: "He tells me, 'That thing is not for Tesco!' but I love it, and why not? I'm very flamboyant. I like bright colours in my hair, I like crystals, fringes, furs."
William is a regular feature on her social media. Ann-Marie says: "We dance together. I got him doing the jive with me in his socks – I was all dressed up of course – and the video had over half a million views. I plan to go viral again and get the call to go on Strictly next year. It's a yes from me, Craig!"
Final Showdown
At 71, she is a decade older than the next oldest contestant, and 26 years older than others. "Bring it on," she laughs. "I don't mind a bit."
Winning the title includes a crown, a luxury sash, a branded car to use during your 12-month reign, and a multithousand-pound prize package. Beyond the crown, Ann-Marie is using her platform to champion body confidence, challenge ageism, and ensure older women remain seen.
She says: "It's all about helping older people. Young people as well, but really about us older people, you know, that are lost, showing the old and the lonely that we can do things." And she has some fighting talk for Friday's finals. Ann-Marie says: "I'm going to win."
