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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
James Bingham & Connie Rusk

Blue's Duncan James unrecognisable in drag after finally feeling comfortable with sexuality

He is usually seen on stage as one fourth of hit noughties band Blue.

But Duncan James looked worlds away from his usual stage persona as he performed at Manchester Pride in drag this weekend, after finally feeling comfortable in his own skin.

The singer, 44, went all out for the occasion as he slipped into suspenders and a glittering leather costume complete with red garter.

Donning a huge bouffant wig, false eyelashes and a red lip, Duncan looked almost unrecognisable as he transformed into his drag alter-ego.

The All Rise hitmaker proved a huge hit with fans as he stormed the stage, with him also heading to Coventry Pride on Sunday.

Blue's Duncan James was unrecognisable in drag at Manchester Pride (Luke Taylor / SplashNews.com)
The singer said last month he finally feels comfortable with his sexuality (Getty Images)

Duncan previously spoke to The Mirror how he was was so scared of coming out he pretended to date celeb pals Geri Halliwell and Martine McCutcheon.

Duncan admits he finally feels comfortable in his own skin, thanks to the love of boyfriend Rodrigo Reis… and his showbiz bestie Denise van Outen.

The singer told us: “It has taken me a long time to feel completely comfortable.

“I remember when I was in Blue the first time around, there were all these rumours I was dating my friends Geri, Martine and Tara [Palmer- Tomkinson] and I used to feel relieved.

Duncan previously dressed in drag for the Rocky Horror show (SplashNews.com)
Duncan with his Blue boyband members in 2003 (Getty Images)

“I was playing Pride with Blue and feeling such a hypocrite because everyone was celebrating their sexuality and I was still in the closet.

“Now I’m performing Blue hits and songs from musical theatre in full drag. I love it.

“Doing drag is so liberating. It’s like wearing a very camp Superman costume – you feel so empowered.”

After years of feeling guilty about his sexuality, Duncan says he is happy at last.

He is back with bandmates Lee Ryan, 39, Simon Webbe, 43, and Antony Costa, 41, and promoting a new album and tour.

He is also loved-up with Brazilian Rodrigo, 28, his partner of four years.

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