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Jackie Green, 18, became the youngest person ever to have a sex change from the UK when she underwent surgery to go from Jack to Jackie at 16.
She is now on course to win the coveted Miss England title after reaching the semi-final, thanks to a public vote.
Jackie was first picked to enter the competition by scouts who had no idea she was born a boy.
"I'm ecstatic to get through. I never expected it," says Jackie. "It's been lovely to see the support from everyone and I have had so many people contacting me to say they hope I win. I have come this far and now I am in it to win it.
"Lots of people have been in touch and it makes me blush to think I have inspired others. I never thought I would be able to inspire anyone."
Jackie underwent seven hours of gender reassignment surgery on her 16 birthday, flying to Thailand as it is not performed on under 18s in the UK.
The surgery followed four suicide attempts by Jackie, who was desperately unhappy as a boy. She even went as far as threatening to cut off her own genitals when she was bullied at school.
Her mum Susie, 43, remortgaged her house to pay £28,000 for the treatment and flights after her daughter's suicide attempts.
"I'm really proud of her. She's been through an awful lot but she has chosen to put herself out there and at risk," says Susie.
"There is a lot of prejudice out there but she is trying to make people understand this isn't a choice and it can be OK."
Susie says Jackie was always drawn to stereotypically 'girls'' toys: "It wasn't just the toys she played with - it was as much as the way she played with them.
"She once said to me, 'Mummy, God made a mistake, I have a girl's brain in a boy's body.'"
Susie flew her then 12-year-old son to the US for psychological tests. Jackie was then prescribed puberty blockers and female hormones which prevented male physical characteristics like the Adam's apple in favour of female traits such as breasts and hips, before undergoing surgery aged 16.
The semi-finals of the Miss England competition take place on May 30, and the final is due to take place at the end of June.
Huge congratulations Jackie! Good luck with the next round of the competition.
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