A 71-year-old gran has taken to the stage to show off her glamour and glitz in the hopes of bringing home a prestigious beauty queen crown to Scotland.
As Ann Marie Harper applies a swipe of lipstick and fixes a tiara onto her head, she gears herself up for the night ahead.
But the 71-year-old isn’t getting ready for a game of bingo.
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In fact, Ann Marie, who hails from Ayrshire, takes to the stage to compete for the title of Ms Great Britain.
While she didn’t take home the crown this year, the gran’s gracious good looks have earned her a different title.
Despite being Scotland’s oldest ever beauty pageant contender – and 26 years older than her rivals – her biggest achievement came in the form of the Impact Over Image Award in the Ms Great Britain Classic category.
“This award means so much to me because it represents everything I’ve been trying to achieve,” the retiree told What’s The Jam.
“It’s about having a voice, making a difference and showing women that no matter their age or what they’ve been through, they still have so much to offer.”
Ann Marie, who is better known as Glamour Gran Ann, also became the first Scot to win the regional title at the national finals in Leicester on 16 October.
The award was given due to her efforts championing age positivity, confidence and greater visibility for older women.
It was all done while raising awareness for causes close to her heart, including charity CLASP, which supports older people, tackling loneliness and social isolation, in her local area.
She said: “Of course, I would have absolutely loved to bring the Ms Great Britain Classic crown home to Ayrshire.
“I went into this competition to give it everything and that’s exactly what I did.
“But to be standing on that stage at 71 and hear my name announced as the winner of the Impact Over Image Award was a moment I’ll never forget.”
While over-the-moon with her achievements, she’s not done yet – and will continue to campaign for the causes close to her heart.
And, in the future, she may try to compete for the crown again.
She added: “I’ve gone from being someone who struggled enormously with confidence to representing Scotland on a national stage, making history and receiving an award I am incredibly proud of.
“The messages I’ve received, the people I’ve met and the opportunities I’ve had to shine a light on important causes have meant more than I can ever explain.
“To think my story has reached people not just across Scotland and the UK, but around the world, is something I never could have imagined.
“I want to congratulate Ally Sussex on becoming Ms Great Britain Classic and all the incredible women who took part.
“It’s been a privilege to share this experience with them.
“To everyone who has supported me, voted for me, cheered me on or simply sent me a kind message, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“At 71, I’m not winding down. I’m only getting started.
“And if there’s one thing I hope people take from my story, it’s this: your age does not define your possibilities.
“What an incredible journey it has been.
“I’m still trying to take it all in!”
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