IF YOU think beauty pageants are just for girls, think again.

Nine-year-old Charlie Russell from Wimborne has championed boys in pageants, recently winning a nationwide competition.

Competing in the two-day Pure UK beauty pageant in Warrington, Charlie won the title of Grand Champ on the first day and followed that by winning the title of Pure UK National King. This title means that he will travel to Ohio in the USA next year to represent the UK at an international competition.

Charlie’s mum Gina Russell said: “This was only Charlie’s second ever pageant. Last year he entered a charity event and came second runner up, he’s worked so hard on his singing and modelling because he loves doing it.

“The pageants are great for him, winning this has boosted his confidence massively”.

Modelling since the age of four, Charlie has never been camera shy having appeared in magazines such as Inter, In Style Child and Voguish Magazine.

“But it’s not just about that,” says Gina, “he’s passionate about charities and has worked with Dorset's MYTIME Young Carers charity to raise money. The pageants encourage giving back and he definitely does that”.

At seven years old, Charlie was a keen ballet dancer, however, was bullied “to the point where he didn’t want to do it anymore”. Now that her son is a pageant champion, Gina says that Charlie “really wants to encourage more boys to take part in these events” and would gladly speak at schools to raise awareness.

She added: “He didn’t tell his school friends that he took part in the pageant, so was very proud to walk in on Monday morning and tell them all”.

Charlie isn’t finished there, as he will take part in a fashion walk in London this weekend. Also, in early December, he will appear at Disney’s Fashion Parade in Florida having been selected by Child Model Magazine.

On an account run by mum Gina, Charlie has over 4,000 followers on Instagram and can be found @those_russell_boys1003.