Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Colour, style, laughs, live singing, lots of fun and make-up better-than-your-mother's is just some of what viewers can expect from next week's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Inside Out North East and Cumbria on Monday 9 November, 7.30pm, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One.

Presenter Chris Jackson meets drag queen legend Miss Beverley Hills – aka Paul Jowsey – a hit on the Newcastle drag scene from the early Eighties and now a sensation in Gran Canaria, often hosting events such as Gay Pride.

Paul says: "Miss Beverley Hills is now an ageing beauty queen but she knows everybody in Hollywood, who's been doing what with whom and when."

After leaving school Paul decided to follow in his mother's footsteps of becoming a singer and entertainer rather than taking over his father's corner shop in Gosforth.

"It was a natural progression for me to follow Mum... everybody just expected it really", says Paul.

"I know Dad was quite proud of me when I made a decision to go into showbusiness and when he suddenly realised what I was wearing he just thought of the money!"

His mum, Sheila, who still regularly performs around the North East, says: "I'm not quite such a perfectionist as Paul is (with his make-up)... or maybe I don't need as much make-up as he does."

Paul takes presenter Chris Jackson back to where it all began for him at the location of the former Rockshots Night Club in Newcastle. Here Paul used to book all the acts including names like The Village People, Margarita Pracatan and a lot of drag acts.

"I thought, you know, I could do that," says Paul.

Paul says that what he thinks sets him apart from other drag artists is the fact that he uses his own hair and doesn't wear wigs like other acts. He says he's happy with the way he is and can pack Bev away whenever he likes.

Sheila says: "I've been proud of him from day one, he just gives his all and puts everything into it."

RF