Miss England 2024, Milla Fenney, has stepped down from the Miss World pageant, alleging that contestants were treated as “entertainment” for wealthy male sponsors and subjected to exploitation and objectification by the organisers.

Fenney, 23, made headlines on 16 May as the first Miss England in the competition’s 74-year history to voluntarily withdraw from the international finals. While organisers initially claimed her decision was due to “personal reasons”, Fenney has now publicly accused the pageant of creating a demeaning and emotionally distressing environment.

Speaking to The Sun, Fenney said she was “paraded in front of wealthy male sponsors” and felt as though she was being “farmed out for entertainment”. Contestants were allegedly pressured to remain glamorous at all times, expected to wear make-up constantly, and stay in formal wear even during meals.

“The final straw,” she said, “was being asked to entertain middle-aged men as a ‘thank-you’ to donors. There were two girls to each table of six guests. It made me feel like a prostitute.”

Her departure has reignited debates over the treatment of women in beauty pageants, with critics calling for greater scrutiny of how contestants are used in such events.

Fenney will be replaced at the Miss World finals by Charlotte Grant, 25, the current Miss Liverpool and official runner-up.