22nd November 1974

First Guernsey competitor took part in Miss World

Guernsey made its debut at the 24th edition of the Miss World pageant on 22 November 1974. Gina Elizabeth Ann Atkinson represented the island against 57 rivals. Jersey was the only other Channel Island to take part, sending Christine Marjorie Sangan as its representative.

Held at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the event was hosted by Michael Aspel and David Vine and watched by around 30 million people.

Sadly, Atkinson didn’t bring home the title for Guernsey. The competition was won by Welsh competitor Helen Morgan, but when it was later discovered that she had had a child, she resigned and the title passed to Anneline Kriel of South Africa.