Danny La Rue(1927-2009)

After his first start in show business he quit because he was only getting about £7 a week and he went into the rag trade. Later a friend asked him to make a two week appearance at a theatre to help him out. In the show he impersonated a woman and found that he had a talent for female impersonation and went on from there. Once he was well established he opened his own night club near the West End which even attracted Royalty. If he was appearing in a West End show or at a theatre not too far away from London he would do that show, which would include the usual two performance on a Saturday then be driven to his club and do a performance there. He would always let the audience know that hidden under the glamorous gowns and make up was a fella by going up to the microphone on his first appearance on stage and in a deep masculine voice say 'whotcha Mates' .