Press release – October 22/10/2026
Dolly Parton, 196,000 Votes and Seven Horses Help Derbyshire’s Sophie Mitchell Gallop into Miss England Final!
Sophie Mitchell from Derbyshire won the semi final Peoples Choice Public vote which fast tracked her in to the Miss England Final photo @moments_by_mee
A 5ft 1in doggy day care owner, award-winning equestrian and Dolly Parton fan from Derbyshire has galloped into the Miss England 2026 Grand Final after winning the semi final public vote with an incredible 196,000 public votes!
Screenshot
Sophie Mitchell, 25, won the Miss England semi-final People’s Choice Award and will now represent Derbyshire at the national final on Tuesday 17th November at Athena, Leicester where she hopes to be crowned the winner and the place in the next Miss World !
But Sophie is no ordinary beauty queen! When she’s not mucking out stables or running her doggy day care business, she’s competing at prestigious horse shows or entertaining her four-legged customers with impersonations of Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson and Paddy McGuinness!
Her rendition of Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors also earned her second place in the Miss England Talent round at the recent semi final held at Melton Theatre .
Sophie sang the Dolly Parton song ” Coat of Many colours” and placed a close 2nd in the Miss England talent round photo by moments_by_mee
MEET – SOPHIE’S PRIZE-WINNING HORSE!
Sophie owns seven horses, including her beloved eight-year-old mare Assagart Divine, affectionately nicknamed Mel after Spice Girl Mel B!
Gifted to Sophie by her mother Laura at Christmas 2024, the Irish-bred mare is produced by Edward Young and has enjoyed remarkable success.
Mel finished sixth at the 2026 Horse of the Year Show, following eighth place in 2025, and achieved fourth place at the prestigious Hickstead Royal International Horse Show in 2025.
Sophie said:
“Mel is my absolute world. I couldn’t love her any more if I tried. She’s truly worth her weight in gold!”
Mel with her prize winning horse
196,000 VOTES AND A PLACE IN THE FINAL!
Speaking about her People’s Choice victory, Sophie said:
“I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to have won the Miss England semi-final People’s Choice public vote. The support I’ve received has been truly overwhelming. It means so much to know that so many people have got behind me!”
MUDDY BOOTS & MAKE-UP-FREE !
Sophie will join the Miss England finalists at Athena, Leicester, on 17th November, where contestants will take part in a make-up-free catwalk challenge to start the day supported by The One Clinic in Leicester, celebrating natural beauty and confidence.
For Sophie, who spends her days caring for animals and mucking out stables, going without make-up is nothing unusual!
The winner of Miss England will represent the country at the next Miss World 2027 in Tanzania.
Could Derbyshire’s Dolly Parton-loving equestrian gallop all the way to the Miss England crown?
Vote now on www.missengland.1voting.com
Miss England Grand Final now held with Mr England !
Tuesday 17th November 2026 | 6.30pm
Athena, Leicester
Media enquiries: [email protected]
Website: www.missengland.info
ENDS
Sophie has appeared in this media so far ; Daily Mail
