A COUPLE from North Yorkshire are toasting a unique victory in a national competition.
Charles Henry and Jayne Barrett, who live between York and Harrogate, are the newly crowned Mr British Isles and Miss British Isles Elegance 2024, taking the modelling titles at the same time earlier this year in Chester.
Entering the modelling competition was a first for the couple who have been in the industry for more than a decade but still a leap out of their comfort zone.
Jayne said: “We’ve been modelling and acting since 2008 but we had never done a contest before.
“Charles wanted to take part initially and suggested I apply too.
“I felt it would be a challenge we could take on together.”
The national search for Mr British Isles and Miss British Isles Elegance 2024 was whittled down from thousands of original entrants through heats and semi-finals and the pair became Mr Harrogate and Miss Harrogate Elegance as it progressed.
Organisers told them they are the first real-life couple to win prizes at the same time at the event.
The judging process was based on images taken at the competition photoshoot, a catwalk demonstration and other scoring criteria such as taking direction within the shoot and adapting in front of crowds and the occasion.
Charles said: “I felt very nervous because Jayne had won her final they day before and people were saying ‘the pressure is on you now’.
“I already felt I’d won through Jayne’s success the night before and just trusted my process.”
Parents to two children and with careers in addition to modelling and acting, the couple each say they found real inspiration from the journey to their respective Mr British Isles and Miss British Isles Elegance 2024 titles.
Jayne, who is a designer, and works in the field of education, said: “I didn’t really publicise it and those who I did share it with were really supportive and keen to see how I got on and managed it all.
“It is hard to avoid and you have to get used to a different side of attention.”
Charles is group commercial director for an international construction business and has acted in film roles, music videos and been a body actor in computer games.
He said: "Being a real-life couple will help with any modelling requirements for couples because the body language and eye contact are more natural than might be the case with a fellow professional."
Jayne said: ”We have national and international projects planned ahead and are excited about continuing with more joint ventures together.”
The couple keep their respective titles until the spring of 2025.
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