Northern Ireland has provided a backdrop for countless films and TV shows in recent years and there's one person who would love a cameo in the next big local production.
Northern Irish drag queen and Ru Paul’s inaugural Queen of the World, Blu Hydrangea has revealed her dream roles as she prepares to host this year’s Royal Television Society (RTS) NI Programme Awards.
Sponsored by Ka-Boom, the awards take place at Belfast City Hall on Thursday 1 June.
Read more: NI's Blu Hydrangea excited to front new 'fast-paced and fun' BBC show
Blu is the stage name of 27-year-old Joshua Cargill from Lisburn, who has enjoyed huge success since making her TV debut on RuPaul’s Drag Race back in 2019.
After coming fifth in that first series, Blu toured the world as part of the Frock Destroyers pop group with her series one sisters Baga Chipz and Divina De Campo as well as appearing in Frock Destroyers: Frockumentary on Wow Presents Plus in 2022.
Blu was crowned Ru Paul’s Queen of the World last March. Blu's Drag Race win saw her beat off the competition from fellow contestants from Thailand, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as the UK and America, to be crowned the inaugural Queen of the World, bagging the prize of recording a musical verse with Ru Paul.
After that she went on to present her own TV series Stitch, Please!, a three-part BBC series that sees contestants compete against one another to create garments inspired by the hottest looks in pop culture.
Reflecting on her big Drag Race UK vs The World win last year, Blu said: "I've gone from working in a Belfast bar a few nights a week to travelling the world. It's just been an amazing time - I've been in America, Australia and around Europe. I've enjoyed every second of it and long may it continue!
"I love film and TV so I'm excited to be hosting the RTS NI awards. It's going to be a really fun event and I'll get to be really glam, show up and be the main event on the night!
"When my boyfriend was a student, he won an RTS award so it's really cool for me to now be hosting them. I'd love to be more involved in the film and TV scene locally here because Northern Ireland is really having a moment right now.
"There's so much going on in our wee country and it's just great to see. I'm sad that Derry Girls is over and sad that I didn't make a cameo on it if I'm honest. They've missed a trick there but if there's ever a spin-off I will happily be a part of it.
"Myself and a friend also recently went to see Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves a few weeks ago and it was mad to know that some of that had been filmed in Northern Ireland. It's crazy to see places like Carrickfergus Castle transformed into these medieval scenes.
"Again a cameo would have been great as I'd make a great witch or wizard! I'm hosting the RTS awards in the hope that it might be a good audition for a role in the next big thing to be filmed here in Northern Ireland!
"It's great to meet talented people from Northern Ireland because it's a very special place and dear to my heart so it's wonderful to see people getting the recognition they deserve."
She added: "Representing Northern Ireland abroad is really important to me because it's a beautiful place and it's hard to find nicer people. I always get complimented on my accent and all the great things I can bring with me because of where I live.
"I love putting Northern Ireland on the map, especially from a queer perspective because I feel that when you think of this place, you don't necessarily put those two things together.
"I've never hosted an awards ceremony before so I'm looking forward to being the RuPaul of the RTS awards, take a back seat and announce the winners. The only stress I'll have is keeping my heels and wig on all night!"
Blu added: "It’s going to be an amazing night back in Belfast shining a light on the incredible talent we have across Northern Ireland working in the creative industries. This has been a wonderful year for our people and productions on the global stage and I'm looking forward to revealing all the winners at the awards in City Hall next week."
Gareth McGreevy, Chair of RTS NI Awards Committee said: “What a coup for the RTS NI to secure the dazzling Blu Hydrangea as our host for this year’s Awards, it promises to be our most glamourous awards ceremony ever as we come together in City Hall to celebrate the diverse voices that make up our industry.
“I wish all of our finalists every success on the night and we look forward to highlighting the best of the best next week.”
The RTS NI Programme Awards 2023 with headline sponsor Ka-Boom are delivered with support from BBC Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and Channel 4. The Ceremony will be held in Belfast City Hall on Thursday 1 June.
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