Keeley Myers, pictured with baby Layla-Mai, is petitioning Miss World organisers to change ‘outdated’ rules that prohibit mothers from entering.
A model who was kicked out of a beauty contest after revealing she had a baby on Friday condemned the pageant’s ‘outdated and patronising’ rulebook.
Keeley Myers, 22, was banned under a 61-year old rule which was introduced by organisers of the Miss World competition to avoid young mothers who enter the contest and win from being separated from their children.
The brunette had qualified to take part in the Miss Manchester contest, the early qualifying leg that whittles down contestants who will take part in the Miss England and eventually Miss World pageants.
But when she confessed to having recently given birth to Layla-Mai, now aged 17 weeks, she was disqualified.
Keeley, of Stockport, Greater Manchester who is engaged to Layla-Mai’s father said: ‘This outdated rule should be overturned once and for all’.
‘Young mothers face enough prejudice as it is. Mothers who can successfully juggle various responsibilities are positive role models’.
Dancer Keeley had been offered a coveted place at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts but turned it down after discovering she was pregnant.
She then entered the Miss Manchester regional leg and came in the top ten out of 40 girls.
The management apologised to Keely, but admitted their hands were tied.
‘They said that it was because if you win, you may have to take part in events’.
‘But I don’t see why I couldn’t be a good role model as Miss England. I worked all the way up to giving birth as a sales assistant and dancer.’
Director of Miss England Angie Beasley said: ‘The Miss World office has had this rule about not having children since the contest began 61 years ago’.