A 15-year-old girl from Sidcup has bagged a spot on the grand finale of a prestigious pageant show in the UK.

Miss Teen Great Britain - for girls aged 10 – 19 - is a pageant competition which contains three divisions – Little Miss Teen Great Britain, for girls aged 10-12, Miss Junior Teen Great Britain for girls aged 13-15 and Miss Teen Great Britain for girls aged 16-19.

15-year-old Gabriella Biddle has won the double title of Junior Miss Teen Bexley and Sidcup and will be taking part in the grand finale in October 2023.

In support of the pageant, Gabriella has made appearances and raised money for Together For Short Lives – a charity which supports children and young people in the UK with life-limiting conditions.

Gabriella told the News Shopper: “I’ve completed the 99,000 steps challenge and my goal is to raise £500, and I'm currently on about £300.

“I want to help the community in any way possible because with such a title, I want to have a positive impact on my community and the surrounding communities.”

The grand finale of Miss Teen Great Britain will be held on Saturday October 14 at The Globe in Blackpool and will consist of the contestants taking part in a short interview, as well as regular outfit changes.

The winner of Miss Junior Teen Great Britain will receive a prize package including £500, as well as wider opportunities to compete in other pageants such as Miss Galaxy and Miss International.

News Shopper: Gabriella at London PrideGabriella at London Pride (Image: Gabriella/Dee Biddle)

Gabriella added: “Last Saturday I went to a pageantry brunch in Manchester, and I made so many friends by the end of the day.

“Everyone generally in the industry is so supportive; they really have made me feel part of the family”.

Along with taking part in the competition, Gabriella studies full time at school and will be taking her GCSE’s next September.

Gabriella says she finds taking part in pageants a great way to boost her confidence and social skills.

She explained: “Pageants are a chance for you to be you, dress up, and have a fun time, even if you don’t win, it’s such a lovely opportunity.

“I am currently doing acting and modelling as well as volunteering and studying at school.

“Every time I perform, I am so nervous, but I try to never let it show on stage – pageants are more so walking and smiling rather than speaking I think it will go better”.

“Making it to the grand final is a dream come true. “It feels great to contribute whilst being supported by this community.”