Strictly star dived into ‘non stop’ Paul O’Grady research for new role-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro

Paul O’Grady inspired Kevin Clifton in his new stage role (Picture: Stuart Wilson/PA)

A year after his death, the legendary Paul O’Grady is still inspiring drag artistry as Strictly Come Dancing star Kevin Clifton channeled him in his new role.

The comedian and all round British icon died in March 2023 at the age of 67 and had risen to fame as a drag performer and activist in the 90s.

Kevin extensively researched O’Grady’s alter ego Lily Savage in preparation for his turn as former performer Loco Chanelle in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.

The 41-year-old dancer is starring in the touring company for the beloved musical as titular Jamie’s mentor Hugo Battersby, also known as Loco.

Composed by The Feeling’s Dan Gillespie-Sells, the real life story follows schoolboy Jamie as he overcomes barriers to pursue his dream of becoming a drag queen.

Stacey Dooley revealed how hard her husband had worked for the role as she went to watch him at Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.

Stacey Dooley praised her husband Kevin for his performance (Picture: Stacey Dooley/Instagram)

He’s starring as Loco Channelle in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Praising him, the 37-year-old presenter wrote: ‘Went to go see Kev last night. @jamiemusical Kev, you are so v v clever. Smaaaaaaashed it. Embodied the role SO seamlessly.’

‘Seems the non stop research of Lily Savage and endless drag literature paid off. 💅🏼,’ she added before saying ‘well done’.

Stacey jokingly concluded that she also deserved congratulations for bringing back pedal pusher trousers.

Kevin made his Broadway debut as a principal dancer with Burn the Floor in 2009 and took to the West End stage for the first time the following year for a production of Dirty Dancing.

In 2021, he joined Jonathan Church’s critically acclaimed production of Singin’ in the Rain as Cosmo Brown.

Kevin has researched icon Lily Savage to prepare (Picture: PA)

The same year a film version of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie aired, with the esteemed Richard E Grant playing Loco.

When he was cast, Richard had been concerned about the debate around a non-LGBTQ+ actor taking on queer roles.

‘I said, “How can you really justify casting a non-genuine drag queen or gay actor to play this part?”‘ he told Newsweek at the time.

He explained: ‘[Director Jonathan Butterell] said that the entire creative team are gay and “we believe that you have the right qualities or whatever to play Hugo/Loco Chanelle.”

Richard E Grant played Loco in the 2021 film (Picture: Amazon Studios via AP)

‘I said, “Well, I’ve never danced and sung, or been in drag, or seen drag in a musical, let alone be in a movie.” That fills me with righteous terror and I thought that was a good thing.’

Kevin teased his drag makeover on Instagram with the quote: ‘All this is a process of becoming more’.

Stacey shared an video of him performing, bursting with pride as she said she loves him ‘so much’ and calling him a ‘clever clever star’.

The professional dancer and documentary maker met when they competed on Strictly together in 2018, beating runners-up Joe Sugg, Faye Tozer and Ashley Roberts to take home the glitterball trophy.

The couple welcomed their first child, Minnie, in January and Stacey recently announced she will be making her own West End debut shortly.

Next month, the former Glow Up host will stars as Jenny in supernatural thriller 2:22 A Ghost Story alongside Inbetweener’s legend James Buckley.

Celebrating her casting, Kevin wrote: ‘ Could not be more excited for my girl’s west end debut! So unbelievably proud. She’s going to be amazing in @222aghoststory.

‘A show that I love!!! Love u @sjdooley Let’s all go and see her!’

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