BABY OF THE YEAR: Ex-U's player is one proud dad (From thisisoxfordshire)

BABY OF THE YEAR: Ex-U's player is one proud dad

11:00am Friday 30th July 2010 in

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“IT is fantastic being her dad, she is cute and cheeky and always laughing.”

Those were the words of former Oxford United star Joey Beauchamp, now the proud father of the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year 2010.

His daughter, 18-month-old Jessie Beauchamp beat hundreds of adorable youngsters from around Oxfordshire to take the crown.

She will now enjoy a three-day trip to Disneyland in Paris to see their Bonfire Spectacular in November with proud parents, Joey and Millie.

Mr Beauchamp said: “We are excited, she absolutely adores Mickey Mouse and has hundreds of Disney toys.

“We hoped to take her next year anyway, as I love Mickey Mouse too.”

Describing his daughter, the ex-footballer said she was a joy to be around.

He said: “Every dad must say they are the proudest dad in the world, but I really am.”

In June, the Oxford Mail reported on Mr Beauchamp’s battle with depression, when he thanked his family for helping him through a difficult two years.

He said: “It was very hard for the first few months of Jessie’s life, but now we’re enjoying her so much.

“She rules the house, she’s bossy and bosses everyone round, especially her dad. She gets me to do everything.

“But all she has to do is laugh and I melt. I guess that’s just part of being a proud dad.”

Jessie’s winning smile got her a total of 802 votes from an adoring public.

Her family also receive a framed photo, courtesy of Fraser Portraits, who took all the entrants’ photos and £100 of Debenhams vouchers.

Runners-up were Shaqueesha Edwards, two, and six-month-old Samuel Nally-Carr, with 396 and 229 votes respectively.

Shaqueesha’s mum, Acleva White, 19, of Cowley, said: “I’m really proud of Shaqueesha, we didn’t expect her to do so well because there were so many cute babies.

“She’s a bit cheeky, a really playful child and full of energy.”

Samuel’s mum, Lucy Carr, 20 from Grove, said: “I didn’t expect him to do well, we entered and thought nothing of it.

“Samuel is our first child and I love being his mum. He’s lovely to be around.

“When I told his dad, he laughed ‘can’t they have a recount?’”

The winners will receive their prizes in a ceremony next Thursday at Debenhams, Oxford, at 11am.