You may recall that this past season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars was a bit of a train crash for some contestants. Well, super judge, Michelle Visage has suggested that you should only go on the show if you’re “stable” and willing to take the risk.
CREDIT: PR SUPPLIED
Speaking exclusively to THEGAYUK.com RuPaul’s Drag Race super judge, Michelle Visage has suggested that the All-Star version of the show is tough going and only the most “stable” should apply; and it can be a bad idea if you don’t think you can handle pressure. Answering concerns that doing an All-Star version could cause you to damage your brand, Michelle said that there was always the risk of the audience falling out of love with you and that they could end up hating you.
In fact, you should just stay clear if you’re worried about destroying all the good work you’ve done in creating your brand.
She told us,
“There’s always that risk because if you were loved first time around and you f*** up the second time around, there is the risk that people are going to hate you.
“It can be a bad idea if you’re not sure that you can handle it. If you’re not sure you can handle it, you shouldn’t do it.”
But it’s not all bad if you’re up for the challenge. Doing All-Stars could help further your career, she told us,
“I think that if you’re stable and you know which way you’re going to play the game and you feel con dent, then it can be a really good thing.
“Here’s the bottom line, it’s a TV show. Somebody goes home every week and this is the best of the best.”
If you’ve never had a weekend away in Blackpool then I demand you book a train right away and head for the North West coast where you’ll find this unique entertainment town.
CREDIT: Pixabay
The seafront, known as the Golden Mile, is home to the world famous Blackpool Tower, three piers, the Pleasure Beach and the largest display of illuminations you’ll find in the UK.
Often referred to as the British Las Vegas, Blackpool has an entertainment scene like no other with a number of gay bars and clubs, live cabaret shows, theatres and amusements. Highlights include the Blackpool Tower with its famous Ballroom, the ‘Big One’ roller coaster that gives you fantastic views on the way up, and the new comedy carpet outside the Tower that has over 1,000 famous names and comedy quotes set out over 2,200 square metres.
With over thirty gay-owned and run B&Bs you’ll be sure of a personal and entertaining stay. So pack your trunks, your chuckle muscles, your head for heights and your sense of adventure as you explore the brightest jewel in the North West.
The Gay Bars
Flamingos
With seven nights of clubbing at the world famous Flamingo Club, attracting some of the biggest named DJs and club nights, you’ll be sure of a memorable night out.The club has an open to all, closed to prejudice policy, so you’re guaranteed of a great party atmosphere. The club illuminates from the brightly coloured dance floor, which calls for you to show it your best moves.
The Flying Handbag
One of Blackpool’s longest running venues, You’ll be in for a great time day or night. The long bar offers plenty of seating for a daytime catch up with friends and dance floor space. There’s a cabaret stage, for a whole host of entertainment, plus a snack bar, should you be feeling peckish during the party.
With all you need in one place, you’ll need a good excuse to leave.
If you’re travelling to Blackpool for a party, the Pride weekend or a holiday then you’re in for a treat. Blackpool has the largest selection of gay-run B&Bs in the world and all offer the home comforts and personal touches that you just can’t find in a chain brand hotel. Furthermore, the proprietors have pulled together to bring you the BAGS card – Blackpool Accommodation For Gays. Founded in 1997, the BAGS card will not only ensure your stay in Blackpool will be a friendly and welcoming experience but it’ll also give you fantastic discounts in over 60 establishments around Blackpool, including Bars, Cafes, Restaurants, Shops, Shows and Theatres. You can pick up your free discount card from one of the following accommodations.
If there’s availability left then try a stay at the popular Granby Lodge B&B set in the heart of Blackpool’s gay scene. Brian and Geoff have an unfailing love to ensure your stay in Blackpool is welcoming and comfortable. Plus they cook up one of the best breakfasts in the North- West. Rooms from £30.
Top Attractions
CREDIT: Pixababy
Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5BE
Since 1879, Blackpool has been illuminating the promenade road which runs the length of the sea front. Attracting over 3.5 million visitors last year, the Blackpool Illuminations are the highlight of the calendar. Launching at the end of August, a well known face will switch on the 400,000 bulbs.
Pleasure Beach
Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool, FY4 1EZ
Tel: +44 (0)871 222 1234
The most fun you can have in one day out is all located within the Pleasure Beach walls. Carnival-style games, illusion and cabaret shows and not forgetting a collection of thrill seekers rides including the Big One!
The Big One climbs you to a height of 235ft. before dropping you at up to 87mph along the one-mile track.
Other unique rides include the Steeplechase where you choose a horse and race alongside other on separate tracks and the Avalanche where you free fall down a track at 50mph in the UK’s only bobsled ride.
Blackpool Zoo
East Park Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8PP Tel: +44 (0)1253 830 830
A wide selection of animals both large and small await your visit at Blackpool zoo in natural enclosures giving you a close up view of these magnificent creatures.
The Blackpool Tower
THE BLACKPOOL TOWER
Bank Hay Street, Blackpool, FY1 4BJ
Tel: +44 (0)871 222 9929
Celebrating 120 years the Blackpool Tower has been home to all the greats of British comedy. Visit the beautiful Ballroom with its famous Wurlitzer organ, rising from the floor. The tour starts with a 4D show on Blackpool including sights, smells, and special effects. From here you’ll enter the SkyWalk room at the top of the tower for uninterrupted views, including underfoot!
Blackpool Pride
Winter Gardens 97 Church Street Blackpool
FY1 1HU
Yearly event in June.
Blackpool Pride this year will be bigger and better than ever before with headlining act 5th Story performing alongside other special guests. The Winter Gardens are also hosting the European Same-Sex Dance Championship. So grab a partner or some friends and make sure you’re part of the North West’s biggest party.
Ever wondered how presenters keep up their energy on set during the long long hours on a reality TV show?
CREDIT: Jonathan Bennett/ Instagram
The job of a reality TV presenter is to look excited and interested – constantly… So how do they keep their energy levels up? It appears they turn it off immediately the camera shuts off. Cake Wars star Jonathan Bennett shared a clip on social media showing how when they film a ‘to camera’ ident for their show they are able to turn off the smiles as the director calls cut!
Sharing a behind the scene clip with co-host Tamera Mowry, Jonathan Bennett demonstrates how they both turn the energy on the moment the camera starts rolling.
Also, not everything goes to plan! It also seems the Mean Girls actor is a bit of an ad-libber to boot, however, his co-star Tamera didn’t think his snow bake gag was up to scratch after jokingly called him a “fool”.
If you’ve not caught up with Cake Wars yet make sure you tune into ITV Be to catch up
★★| Andy Dufresne, a quiet and mild mannered banker, arrives at Shawshank Prison after being convicted for the murder of his wife and her lover. As he settles into his new life, he befriends old timer, Red, the prisoner fixer and a man who is known to “acquire certain items from time to time”. Andy splits his time between maintaining his innocence, carving rocks, avoiding the violent “sisters” (a predatory gang of sexually violent inmates) and trying to improve the lives of those around him. But when Andy overhears a conversation between two of the guards, he is provided with opportunity which he simply cannot pass up.
Picture Credit – Mark Yeoman
The Shawshank Redemption is based on the Stephen King novella, and the 1994 film of the same name. The film has gone on to become one of the nation’s favourites, and with this in mind, the stage show has some big prison-issue boots to fill. The static set is reflective of the prison setting, with its tall, oppressive walls towering over the proceedings; and it’s bland, dreary appearance is being quite befitting for the fictional prison. In the book and the film, the story of Dufresne’s time in Shawshank is one which is filled with optimism and hope; and it is the contrast of that emotional warmth juxtaposed with the cold starkness of the confines of the prison walls which works so well.
Paul Nicholls (Eastenders) leads the cast as Andy Dufresne, with TV stalwart Ben Onwukwe (Eastenders, London’s Burning, Coronation Street) playing Red, both of whom gave functional performances without ever really capturing the refinement of the two lead characters or their relationship. The remainder of the cast, sadly, seemed to replace acting with shouting, leading to some rather unsubtle performances; with only Jack Ellis in his portrayal of the Warden and Nicolas Banks as Tommy ever really finding their feet.
Adapted by Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns, the script is choppy and never seems to gather momentum or develop into having any natural flow, with somewhat clunky transitions from one plot development to the next. Rather than allowing the drama to play out on stage, comedic moments are added to scenes of tension, which had the audience laughing when they should have been on the edge of their seats, lessoning the impact of the story and the events portrayed. Whilst the story does not shy away from the harsh reality of prison life, David Esbjornson’s direction is as bland as the prison walls and as heavy handed as the prison guards themselves, often leaving much to the imagination and hinting at the acts of violence rather than portraying them.
The show is a bold attempt to bring to life something which is so well loved, but as much as it pains me to say it, the writing, acting and direction all had their own issues which meant that they never really came together; and whilst some of the audience clearly enjoyed the show, for me personally, it simply didn’t work.
The Shawshank Redemption is currently winding up its national tour. The show was reviewed at Sheffield Theatres (www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk ), who are soon hosting the world premiere of a new musical based on the BBC3 show “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16” Search #TalkingAboutJamie.
A gay couple in Devon have had graffiti painted onto the side of their pub in Buckfastleigh.
CREDIT: Google Map 2016
A pub, owned by a gay couple in Buckfastleigh, South Devon, has had homophobic graffiti sprayed onto its wall. The word “puff” was sprayed in black onto the white wall of The Globe Inn pub, on Plymouth Road in Devon. Several of the pub’s windows were also daubed with the black spray.
Dan Simpson, who co-owns the pub with his partner Lee Boxall reported the graffiti to the police as a hate crime.
According to the Plymouth Herald, Dan said,
“It seems that one individual has used a spray can on the CCTV camera, before then targeting the windows and doors, before spraying the word ‘Puff’, not spelt properly, on the wall.
“There was some real community spirit shown and it is great that people did come out and support us.”
Taking to the pub’s official Facebook page, the owners thanked a team of volunteers for offering to help clean off the graffiti.
“Thank you to all the volunteers who offered help with cleaning the graffiti off the pub this morning… It’s really appreciated! Some festive pics to lighten the mood…”
If you are looking to get back into running after a break here is advice from Lewis Manning, Senior Sports Physiotherapist at BMI The London Independent Hospital
CREDIT: Maridav-bigstock
Gradual training
The most important thing you need to remember when getting back into running after a break, especially if you’re recovering from an injury, is to increase your training gradually. All other interventions are secondary to this and if you get this wrong, you are much more likely to get injured. This is because both your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems take time to adapt to the new load that is being put on them.
Slow increases
The general rule when running is that you should only increase your training load by 10% a week (unless your longest run is less than 4 miles, then you can increase things a bit more quickly).
Have a good pair of running shoes that suit you.
Everyone is different and it doesn’t have to be the most expensive pair that are the best.
Be careful about starting to run if you are significantly overweight.
It may be helpful to begin with low-impact exercise such as walking or cross training to begin with.
Warming up
Warm up by running a bit slower for the first 5-10 minutes is important on the higher intensity (especially interval) runs. However, general static stretching before running has been shown to not reduce the chances of injury. It may be important to stretch specific muscles that are tight on you, but this should be done throughout the week, not just before a run.
Running on softer surfaces
Surfaces such as grass or a treadmill are a great way to get back into training as they put less force through your body. However, if you are competing in an event that requires road running, you will need to do some training on the road too.
Eat correctly
(again, this is another topic in itself) and drink when you need to. Don’t be obsessed by drinking, whether it be water or sports drinks, however. Your body will tell you when you need to drink and drinking too much can cause as many problems as not drinking enough.
Listen to your body.
Your body will generally ache a bit when returning to running. However, if niggles become persistent and are worsening, you should nip this in the bud early by getting advice from a physiotherapist.
So if you’re planning to book Milo Yiannopoulos for conservative chat you’d better be ready to go on a shopping expedition in order to get him in the mood to perform.
CREDIT: Milo Yiannopoulos / Instagram
The Tab revealed what’s on the journalist and the Internet’s super villain’s rider.
So it starts off pretty legit. Bottles of champagne, trainer approved snacks and fruit, a full-length mirror, cough drops and humidifier, WiFi and then it gets weird. Really weird.
He wants his peaches defuzzed, an 8×10 framed signed photo of himself, non-fair trade coffee, a bowl and a half of green M&Ms (approx 1400) and a fruit platter prepared to form an M shape. Oh and he also wants a snow cone machine.
But then things get a little outrageous…
He doesn’t want gingers – but he does want four topless Abercrombie models and his preference is black models. Anyone who identifies as lesbian must remain 100 feet away from him. They are not permitted to wear khakis, flannel, Birkenstocks, or plaid. All female staff are required to wear brassieres or other supportive undergarments.
And if you get things wrong expect huge fines.
He doesn’t want phone calls in his dressing room – any disturbance will find a venue being fined $5000 and he hears Adele playing the venue will be fined $7,500.
And for on stage? He requests a fog machine and bear spray.
Milo confirmed to The Tab that the rider was authentic.
Last week Milo had a scheduled talk at his old school, The Langton Grammar School for Boys, cancelled amid security concerns. Activists were planning a protest outside the school, which caused the Department for Education’s counter extremism unit to reach out to the school.
Read the full rider below:
1. DRESSING ROOM
6 x Bottles San Pellegrino, chilled
2 x Laurent-Perrier Brut NV Methuselah
3 dozen poppy bagels, seeds removed
5 x good quality Sancerre
6 packs Newport shorts
Trainer-approved snack, fruits
Fresh fruit platter, prepared in shape of capital ‘M’
4 x Japanese square watermelon
Snow cone machine
2 buckets KFC Extra Crispy thighs should be ready upon arrival; skin removed & set aside in third bucket
Bacon
Hot and cold meal options – Gordon Ramsay recipes.
Preferred meats: Veal, suckling pig
Use only French fleur-du-sel, Northwest coast preferred source
8 dozen double-stuff Oreos, halved & spliced together to make 4 dozen double-double stuff Oreos
Cave-aged Gruyere
A bowl and a half of green M&M’s (approx 1400)
2 x tin petrossian royal ossetra caviar
30 x peaches, defuzzed
Advil/Tylenol
Hot water (filtered), fresh honey and lemon
Coffee: Hawaiian, grown in volcanic foothills; or any non-fair-trade source/country
Cough drops
Humidifier
WiFi (2 dedicated networks, high-speed)
Central air-conditioning
Full-length mirror
Working outlets/ power strips, extension cords
2 dozen white roses, de-thorned, cut to 8-9 inches
3 pack x Scented markers
Framed,signed 8×10 photo of artist, next to roses;
NB: attendant rotate frame hourly to maintain sun aspect
Room with east & west views
Framed 8×10 portrait of Daddy; frame must be gilded/gold-leaf; placed adjacent to artist’s
Hand lotion; any South Korean brand containing horse oil banned in the USA & EU
On-call registered nurse for B-12 injections
3 Siberian Husky puppies
4 topless Abercrombie models, BLACK PREFERRED — NO gingers
Tahitian Vanilla candles, minimum 12 hour burning time
10 ‘torchiere-style’ floor lamps
Assorted ceramic tableware
Hot & cold towels (Ralph Lauren)
Framed 8×10 black-and-white photo of Princess Di, placed on windowsill
Tiara
Johnson’s baby oil (slightly heated)
Star Wars Top Trumps
Assistant to read my speech on repeat to artist
Selection of minimum 12 world capital major newspapers, ironed
20 x international phone lines
75 x $1 bills
Registered on-call acupuncturist
Strictly Non-Smoking Rooms
Carpet & upholstery deodorized
Framed 8×10 of Mariah Carey, always placed facing the doorway, set next to the white roses
Framed 5×7 photo of J.Lo (ideally Jenny From the Block era)
Check out some of the worst sins at the official Passenger Shaming Instagram. So are you guilty of a naked feet walk to the bathroom or a mid-flight fiddle with your tackle? Here’s some of the worst offenders.
X Factor stars, Bratavio have caused a stir… with fans even suggesting that the stir is in Bradley’s pants!
CREDIT: Bradley Hunt /Instagram
They may have been the first to leave the X Factor competition (yes even before Honey G) but the Bratavio pair, Bradley and Ottavio still know how to get the conversation going by uploading a picture like this to their Insta feeds.
Just take a moment to take in Ottavio’s hair and question… just how did he do that?
The hot shot got some of their fans hot under the collar, which some even suggesting that Bradley had a “boner”. However, on further surveillance, we can reveal it’s just the shadows.
Although we do have to ask the question – why on earth the pair is posing for this photo?
Kit Redstone – a female to male transgender actor – explains what it’s like to enter a men’s locker room for the first time in the new play Testosterone.
The play, at the New Diorama Theatre near Warren Street tube station, is a semi-autobiographical look at Redstone’s coming out as a man and what it’s like to do so in such a testosterone-heavy environment as the locker room. The show also briefly delves into Kit’s previous life as a woman, as well as the first time he received testosterone – at the doctor’s office.
Told with a bit of drama, and humour, it’s a story that Kit is brave enough to have written and again to tell on stage. But Kit doesn’t just tell his story, he relives it, cleverly, with the locker room as a device to explain the whole male-heavy environment that he now belongs to.
The show, successfully, looks at how masculinity is so prevalent in a locker room environment, and questions whether it is real or is it a facade? Alongside thirty-something Kit are three other actors who display their manliness (not literally), and masculinity; two jocks (Matthew Wells and Julian Spooner) and the fabulous singer/drag queen Daniel Jacob (also known as Vinegar Strokes). They help Kit to tell his story as well as perform in fantasy sequences that move the story along which helps the audience to better understand Kit’s journey. It’s a straightforward, and brave, telling of Kit’s transformation and the new world he lives in.
Testosterone plays at the New Diorama Theatre until the 3rd December 2016, 020 7338 9034
This month’s issue was edited by our very own Christmas elf…
CREDIT: DotComGiftShop
My doesn’t 12 months fly by. It seems only yesterday I was unleashed from the tinsel box to edit last year’s festive issue, and now here I am again listening to Radio Christmas for 16 hours a day while it’s still 15 degrees outside, and wondering if I’ll ever see another Christmas in London, post-Brexit, when I’m deported back up north to the Wirral where it’s traditional on a Christmas Eve to get lashed in the local till “lasties” then head to church for the midnight carol service, because that’s the only place still serving sweet wine. I still ponder to this day where they buy it from as I’ve searched supermarkets and websites alike for ‘Blood O’ Christ’ Malbec with little success.
But panic not, we’re still part of the European Union (for two years), Obama is still President of the United States (for two months), and I’ve been sober whilst cobbling this rosie nosed Rudolph of an issue together (for two minutes). We took X Factor’s Danyl Johnson down to the woods for our winter shoot, which he totally sleighed… Michelle Visage popped in for a mince pie and to show off her Christmas Puddings… Gogglebox’s Chris Steed wrote us a letter to tell us he’s been a good boy this year and for Christmas, he wants to lick Theresa May. Oh, and we get deep into the stockings of Big Brother’s Sam Giffen to find his nuts but instead get a handful of Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and ten burgers.
If you’ve been wondering, “just what on Earth do I buy those lovely boys at THEGAYUK this Christmas, to thank them for all their hard work this year in providing such a fab mag and website that’s free to read (and doesn’t cost you the same as a Christmas Lunch, like some other publications do…)” Well, if you were thinking that, then the team have searched the nation’s high streets, sat on every Santa’s lap (in fact some didn’t come back for weeks) and called every elf hotline to bring you the biggest and brightest 2016 TGUK Gift Guide to suit every budget.
We’ve some winter treats from Jordan’s new book, Food For Friends, and a scrummy eggnog recipe from one of London’s hottest mixologists Alex Fakinos. As well as our usual favs the dilemma page – Am I good enough for my two boyfriends, sex health – Am I big enough? and Aunty’s in a rather festive mood… or pissed more likely!
So from myself and all the team at THEGAYUK including our fabulous contributors from all over the UK and Monty our photographer who gives so much… (If you believe his Growlr profile!) We wish you all a very fabulous festive season and may 2017 be positive, considerate, funny, enjoyable, emotional, warming… and not be the complete political and social f*** up being forecast!
