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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Vickie Scullard

What is Drag SOS on Channel 4, who are The Family Gorgeous and what’s the series about?

A new series kicked off on Tuesday night which follows a Manchester-based drag troupe head off on a road trip across Britain to give ordinary people a makeover.

But not just any makeover - a drag makeover, of course.

The Family Gorgeous, made up of drag queens Cheddar Gorgeous, Anna Phylactic, Lill, TeTe Bang and Liquorice Black, host monthly club night Cha Cha Boudoir in Cruz 101.

The collective, assisted by dance coach Astina Mandela, will invite tentative guests to their drag lab to teach them how to unleash their inner diva.

This includes how to dress, how to apply makeup and how to develop their drag alter-ego, before delivering their very own stunning lip sync performance in front of an audience.

Cheddar Gorgeous from The Family Gorgeous, star of Channel 4 series Drag SOS (Slater King/ Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 progr)

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They will also be given a crash course on how to throw some shapes on the dancefloor and learn a bit of self love through a life coaching session.

The first episode featured three hesitant new recruits in Dover, all facing different challenges but all hoping that a drag makeover is they're looking for - both inside and out.

Lill from The Family Gorgeous, star of Channel 4 series Drag SOS (Slater King/ Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 progr)

Head of the family is Cheddar - a university anthropologist by day, drag queen by night. Cheddar trained to be a social worker and believes everybody can benefit from drag.

Liquorice Black from The Family Gorgeous, star of Channel 4 series Drag SOS (Slater King/ Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 progr)

Cheddar said: “Whether you’re male, female, straight or gay, old or young, drag is all about finding your most glamorous route to self-confidence.

“We all have a past, our own stories and drag is the most fabulous way to celebrate ourselves. People have come to us for all kinds of reasons, from bereavement to poor body image, drag is all about establishing identity and putting it centre stage.”

Anna Phylactic from The Family Gorgeous, star of Channel 4 series Drag SOS (Slater King/ Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 progr)

The series, made by Summer Films, sees the group travel Britain in their drag bus before offering to work their professional magic on those who dare to step forward and find their hidden drag potential.

Producer Lucy Hillman said: “At a time when Britain feels divided and uncertain about its future, what better tonic than the Family Gorgeous? Can tolerance, camaraderie and a generous splash of glitter be just what we all need?”

(Slater King/ Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way. This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 progr)

Documentaries commissioning editor Alisa Pomeroy added: “Drag has become incredibly popular with the younger generation and it has increasingly become a way for individuals to explore their identity. We eagerly await the troupe’s first UK tour.”

Drag SOS starts on Tuesday at 10pm on Channel 4.

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