Mexico takes Miss Universe title

MEXICO’S Jimena Navarrete was crowned Miss Universe in an upset victory that stunned a pageant world which had predicted the winner would come from Ireland’s Rozanna Purcell, Miss Venezuela or Miss United States.

After Miss USA and Miss Venezuela fell by the wayside, 20-year-old Miss Ireland Rozanna Purcell became favourite, but while she made the last ten from 83 contestants, she too failed to advance to the final five after a swimsuit and evening wear parade.

The 22-year-old winner from Guadalajara in Mexico, resplendent in a ruby-red evening gown, has been modelling since she was 15, but nothing could quite prepare her for her moment of glory.