Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has undergone an incredible drag makeover that has rendered him unrecognisable. The actor is famed for playing Steve McDonald in the ITV soap but fans are set to see him in a whole new light as he takes on the biggest transformation of his career as he attempts to embrace his inner drag queen in a competition like no other.
Simon is starring in Queens For The Night, a brand new ITV show, which sees well-known faces unleash an alter ego they never knew existed in a bid to be crowned the ultimate winner. Joining him on this unique stage is EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt, Love Island's Chris Hughes, rugby star Joe Marler and popstar George Shelley as they attempt to master the disciplines of drag, including singing, dancing, lip syncing, impression, comedy or Dragic! (Drag magic).
The show, which airs Saturday night (November 5) on ITV, will be hosted by presenter and drag superfan Lorraine Kelly, she will be joined by an all-star judging panel who will offer their thoughts on our famous novices as they attempt to master this flamboyantly entertaining skill.
Making up the judging panel will be Spice Girl and pop icon Melanie C, stand-up comedian Rob Beckett, world famous Drag artist Courtney Act and star of Bad Education and West End hit Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Layton Williams.
The celebrities will perform live in front of a panel of expert judges and a live studio audience but only one celebrity can be crowned the ultimate winner. And they will have some expert guides as the show will see some of the most successful Drag Queens in the business become mentors to each of the celebrities.
Blu Hydrangea, Kitty Scott-Claus, La Voix, Myra DuBois, Asttina Mandella, Margo Marshall will be using their expert knowledge to guide and teach our famous students, as they prepare and perfect their drag personas.
Viewers will witness every step of the process, from mastering the killer heels, fine tuning their comic timing and bringing to life a breathtaking character through costume and make up. The process will culminate for each of the celebrities in a cabaret-style performance as they showcase their newly acquired drag talents.
It has already been revealed that Simon, who has starred in Corrie since 1989, will be mentored by Myra DuBois with his drag skill being comedy and his drag name Bidet Bardot. Asked what kind of drag queen he thinks he'll be, the soap star said: "I think I’ll be a larger-than-life drag queen, very loud. I think that fits in with me quite well."
And after playing the same character for more than 30 years, the 48-year-old, from Wythenshawe, is feeling the nerves. "It’s very, very nerve-wracking," he confessed. "First time on stage, the first time I’m going to be doing what I’m going to be doing. The nerves are riding high. It’s a new territory for me, so we will see how I get on.
But all this may not be new to Simon, who has spent more than 30 years on the Corrie cobbles. During his stint in the I'm A Celeb castle last year, where he finished in second place, his wife Emma revealed his secret talent for poetry, and how he loves to let loose at one of Manchester's most iconic bars.
Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the former Hollyoaks actress said: "He’s always writing, he keeps books at the end of the bed so when he can’t sleep, he’ll have a dream or he’ll have a thought and will write it down. His poetry is brilliant, he’s a really good poet. He’s also writing a children’s book. He started during lockdown and was also doing it while he was isolating before he went on I’m A Celebrity."
When not writing, Simon loves a laugh and visiting the New York, New York bar in Manchester’s gay village – where he has been known to dress up in drag. Emma said: "Our good friend owns it and it’s always been a safe place for Simon to have a few drinks and cause mischief on the stage. He loves a laugh."
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