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Meet the shop assistant, 22, who leads a fantasy double life - as a Disney princess

Gemma Beard, 22, works in a computer games store by day but spends her evenings and weekends dressed as Tinkerbell, The Little Mermaid, and Snow White

Shop assistant Gemma Beard is happy to live in her own fantasy world - by leading a double life as a Disney princess.

Gemma, 22, works in a computer games store by day but spends her evenings and weekends dressed as Tinkerbell, The Little Mermaid, and Snow White.

The Disney fanatic spends almost every evening and weekend ‘in character’ and is regularly mobbed by small girls convinced she is the real deal.

She surprises poorly kids by visiting them in character, and even writes letters and sends presents to children in hospital who are too sick to have visitors.

Gemma, who lives with her mum and dad in Gloucester, spends hundreds of pounds on outfits and accessories to make herself look just like a Disney character.

She said: 'It is so nice to wear the big dresses and stuff like that and be able to escape a little bit from the real world. I put on my wig, my costumes, and I can be this whole other character.

'Every little girl's dream is to be able to be Cinderella and I get to do that. More than anything, I love putting smiles on children's faces.’


'I love bringing children a bit of Disney magic. You see them on their iPhones and I just think "you're supposed to be kids" and they don't look that happy to me.

'When they see me their eyes light up and they are just kids again. They think I'm the real thing and of course I stay in character.'

Gemma's love for all things Disney started when she was just three-years-old and her grandmother Audrey made her a Snow White costume.

 

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She studied musical theatre at college and honed her performing skills entertaining adults and kids at holiday parks, dressing up in her costumes in her spare time.

Gemma wanted to join the troupe of official performers at Florida's Disney World,but was disappointed to be told that, at 5ft 2ins, she was just an inch too short.

But in October she decided she would become a real part-time princess, setting up company Enchanting Story Book Parties.


She charges minimal fees to turn up at birthday parties so she can help poorly kids for free, and her wages from her day job in Game fund her costumes and a steady supply of free gifts for her little fans.

It takes her up to two hours to get ready and her costumes cost up to £120.

Gemma's dad David, a factory worker, drives her to her gigs, while mum Carolyn, a nursery teacher, helps with costumes and music.

 

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Next weekend she is visiting five children dressed as Tinkerbell, sprinking Disney magic to delighted youngsters.

She added: 'My business is in no affiliation with Disney but I do look to them for inspiration and motivation.

'I believe the classic fairytales have a lesson to teach and there are many strong characters which make good role models for children, especially the princesses.’