“Drag Idol contestants have to have CUNT” declared Danny Cher Bailey at the start of interview. “That of course is Charisma, Uniqness, Nerve and Talent” he giggled.

As nearly everyone knows, Drag Idol 2011 is hitting Leeds this month and we managed to pin down Mr Drag Idol himself, DCB to talk about what’s up his sleeve this year.

“For starters” said Danny, “It’s in a completely new venue this year, as the event grows so do the locations that’s why we are holding the event at Leeds United’s, Centenary Pavilion.”

Most of us are familiar with Drag Idol but, how did it all start? “I was there from the beginning in 2004” said Danny. “It was held at The Birdcage and I was a Sharon Osborne type judge. I then met Jon Bishop and worked at Clone Zone with him and around that time, the Terrance Higgins Trust, who organised the event with Jon, moved out of Leeds so, Jon and I decided to take it over.”

“I own the Drag Idol logo and website address now “ said Danny, “but no one owns Drag Idol, it is something for the entire community.”

Asking Danny why he does Drag Idol and what motivates him, he said: “The money raised helps people in our own community, it does not go off to some far flung place, and it stays right here in Leeds. To stand at a bar and have a drink with someone that Drag Idol funds have helped is an immense feeling and very important to me. I am involved with Mesmac [recipients of the fundraising] throughout the year and it is good to see the money in action.”

In the earlier days of Drag Idol” continued Danny, “A friend of mine was diagnosed as being HIV positive, it all became a lot more personal to me then and even more motivation to continue.”

There are some massive surprises planned for this year’s Drag Idol and some big changes. This year, Marky Mark and Miss Blanche will be the hosts and DCB, Carla Jackson, Lady P and a Surprise Celebrity will form the judging panel.

“I am a judge by popular demand” said Danny, “I would much prefer to be backstage running the night & coordinating everything. There have been times that I have talked about doing this because I know the show inside out, but the team & the public have said that they want me as a judge and to see me on stage and be the face of Drag Idol. That's why I need more Botox! (dcb pulls his face back)  

The pressure is huge both in organisation and judging, most of Drag Idol is organised from my bedroom at all hours of the day and night.

Organising this competition has absolutely nothing to do with my own ego and nothing about it is about self-indulgence, I just believe in what I am doing and we need to raise money for people & my friends in our area who are affected by HIV and AIDS and that is the ONLY reason why I do this, hand on my heart! 

“It is stressful” continued Danny, “There is hardly any money for Drag Idol and as well as trying to secure some funding and organising the whole thing, I have a full-time job too! But it is worth it and this year’s is going to be amazing, even Chelsea is coming back to Leeds from Gran Canaria to do a special performance!

“Also, one of last year’s contestants is back as a special guest and there will be an additional surprise on the night!”

Telling Danny that he needed a holiday after the event, he said that he has been asked to go back to Gran Canaria next year to be a judge among other roles, on a televised version of Drag Idol, so, more of a working holiday then!

Drag Idol 2011 is set to raise a terrific amount for Yorkshire Mesmac and is also going to be, as always, an amazing event! 

Big thank you to DCB for taking the time out of his impossible schedule to do this interview and good luck for Drag Idol 2011.

DRAG IDOL 2011 IS ON 23 NOVEMBER 2011 AT LEEDS UNITED’S CENTENARY PAVILION.

VISIT THE DRAG IDOL WEBSITE HERE

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE