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A student who was bullied at school due to her sexuality has become the first openly gay Miss England winner.

Grace Richardson, 20, endured homophobic slurs and cruel taunts from classmates after coming out five years ago.

She said it was predominantly boys at her school who targeted her because of her sexuality, mocking her for being "too skinny".

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But the part-time model has now had the final say, having been crowned the first openly gay Miss England.

Representing the East Midlands in the finals at Wolverhampton's Grand Station, Grace, from Leicester, expressed her disbelief at her win, saying it left her "in shock".

The musical theatre student said: "Knowing I'm able to share

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