In July this year Black Britons witnessed another historic first: a black girl was crowned Miss England. And not just any black girl. The victorious 20-year-old Rachel Christie is of Jamaican origin. Christie, the niece of superstar Olympic athlete Linford Christie, is herself a champion athlete and is on course to represent Britain at the 2012 Olympics.

At the time of her victory Rachel Christie said proudly, “My main focus in winning Miss England is to show black kids that they can be whatever they want to be. If they sit about moaning and being negative, they won’t get on. So my message is ‘Just go out and do the best you can.'”

These were inspiring words. Unfortunately, Miss Christie did not take her own advice as months later her title was stripped from her over a love-triangle brawl.

The incident happened during a porn-themed night at a nightclub in Manchester. Miss Christie was dressed as an angel and her love rival, Sara Beverley Jones, was dressed as a cave-girl. Miss Christie’s subsequent behaviour is alleged to have been less than angelic.

The problem was that Miss Jones is the former girlfriend of the man Miss Christie is currently dating. The object of their affection is TV star David McIntosh, better known as “Tornado”. McIntosh is a fine specimen of a man at six feet and 15 stone, and is a former Marine and a boxing champion. Miss Jones had not taken McIntosh’s rejection lightly. McIntosh told the Sun Newspaper how he came home from a date with his new love, Miss Christie, “to find my room completely trashed. Sara had got hold of Rachel’s make-up bag and there was cream, perfume and powder everywhere. The walls had ‘Slag!’ scrawled over them in Rachel’s bright red lipstick. It was a terrible mess. I was really furious and Rachel was so upset. It certainly put an end to any thoughts we had of ending the night with a romp.”

Maybe this incident was on Miss Christie’s mind when she bumped into Miss Jones at the Manchester nightclub. Or maybe she was feeling forgiving. But all this changed when Miss Jones chose to flaunt a risqué text message from McIntosh in front of her. Observers say a scuffle broke out. It is alleged that Miss Christie punched Miss Jones in the face several times. Miss Jones fell to the floor, had to be treated in hospital and the unfortunate Miss Christie was arrested on suspicion of assault. Christie’s lawyers said that she was merely acting in self-defence. Christie said plaintively afterwards, “We had a little scrap. It all happened so fast. I have not had a fight since school and that was always just defending myself. I felt embarrassed at first. Now I feel sick.”

For Miss Christie, her dreams of winning the Miss World title are over. The Miss England organisers have put a polite notice on their website: “Due to media attention following the allegations against Miss Christie, Rachel has now decided to withdraw from the Miss World competition and relinquish her England crown. Rachel will concentrate on clearing her name and focus on training for the 2012 Olympics until this case is resolved.”

CHRISTIE… had to relinquish her crown