10

10 years of Aunty Ginger

Today Mark’s 10 years since the day I regard Aunty Ginger became a bigger part of my life.

It’s always tricky with Drag determining what your actual start date was, partly because of hangover’s, partly because you have to think, what am I counting?

·        The first day I wore mum’s heel’s

·        The first time I wore makeup

·        The first time I went out ‘dressed up’ for a Rocky horror night

·        The first time you watched drag and it becomes something inside of you

Thinking back, I’ve always had a fascination with Drag queens, I remember seeing one for the first time on a family holiday in Tenerife as a Child (I was probably 11/12), and my Dad tried to get me to look the other way as I was definitely too young for the content…but then on Television (we always find a way to watch things don’t we), Mrs Doubtfire, Lily Savage…these Characters, lit a fire that didn’t come out until I was 18.

When I was 18, I was dating a girl in Stoke-On-Trent (she’s probably forgotten me now), and one of the places we used to go was the Three Tonnes, followed by the Nightclub next door, expertly called ‘The Club’. I had a great time there, and at this point was ‘straight’, but when that girl dumped me, I found myself more sad that I couldn’t go back to those spaces and less sad about the relationship ending. Or could I go back to them?

So, I followed my curiosity and went out, on my own to those Spaces. One thing realised when I went to these spaces, I wasn’t alone, two drag queens, Linda Lush and Kitty flirted with me, an 18 year old twink (yes, I was one), and they made me feel like I wasn’t on a night out on my tod, but I was there with anyone and everyone. They also got me spending at the bar, or they got the daddies spending anyway who brought me drinks (thanks boys).

Those queens made me feel safe, in time it gave me the space to work out my true sexuality (which was Bi, then gay, and now I’m pan – it’s been a journey)….and they gave me the ego boost like a drag queen can, it made me feel hot, special, and it’s something I’ve incorporated in how Aunty Ginger interacts with her audiences to this day. But this isn’t when Ginger was Born…. let me tell you first where the name came from.

Where Ginger's name came from

Again, when I was 18 (c.2006), I went out with some friends in a Wig dressed as Russell Brand…that didn’t age well, and my friends must have known that because they nicknamed me Ginger (which makes no sense because it was a brownish wig…I blame Cheeky Vimto’s).

Some months later, on a couple of ‘dress up’ nights, because I’d always be the one holding the friends’ coats, or dancing around ladies’ handbags my friends would remark ‘it’s like going out with my Aunt’. So through osmosis Aunty Ginger was created, but again, this still isn’t where Ginger was Born, as I then focussed on my career, cars and boys didn’t pick her up again properly (bar the odd dress up night) until one random day in March 2016, where I was walking past a shop in Blackpool which had a BIG Tracy Turnblad type Ginger wig in the window…

I went in, purchased the wig and thought to myself, I feel an outfit coming on….went to Miss-Selfridge and because I only weighed about 11 stone back then, everything fit…I went to a sex shop for a pair of stripper heels, and that same night, I was out on Canal Street looking like an absolute mess (not much has changed).

That night was a Cha Cha Boudoir night, a night where many queens were born, it was hosted by the Family Gorgeous downstairs at Aftershock, and everyone was SO friendly to me, I thought, this is something I love. I kept introducing myself as Aunty Ginger, and I’d done it so many times it felt like, it clicked, that was my real drag name, this is something I was going to do more often. Through that night, I made many friends, some of which are now my nearest and dearest, and I’ll never forget the feeling it created in me.

Who is Ginger?

Ginger for me, has always been and probably will always be, Tom without rules. It’s never been a character, and to this day, nothing I stay on stage is fiction. It’s all got some basis in truth, I just feel braver to say it because I’m dressed as her. I feel braver to be myself, and although I present as a woman, I don’t feel like one, I just feel able to use Ginger to give you a peak behind the curtain into Tom’s life.

What have I done since?

Well, rather than letting this blog become war and peace I thought I’d make a list of some milestones, things I’ve done, and things I’m proud of, or things I’ve learned a LOT from:

• In 2016, I hard bxmbed two heats of Drag Idol so badly that I’ve always joked the audience members formed their own support group. Let’s just say a Cello and a Mrs Doubtfire routine was involved and I had NO idea what I was doing. Thankfully, despite some HORRIBLE, but fair, comments from the judges, and motherly advice from Miss Penny, I didn’t quit (you can thank her for that LOL). I weirdly made the Semi-Final, but it went no better, in fact, I was worse!

• In 2017, I hard bxmbed Dragtastic and Drag Idol AGAIN, weirdly made it through to a semi-final, and this time, I nearly quit, after all, it wasn’t working.

• In 2017, I was encouraged by friends I’d made through the Cha-Cha scene to sign up for a Drag night called ‘Second Self’ hosted by Yshee Black in Birmingham where I got to perform one number. This was a far better environment for me, which is No slight on Drag Idol, I just wasn’t ready for it. Drag Idol is a stage for people ready to launch a Cabaret career, I just needed a safe space to work out what I was trying to do, without putting nails in my own coffin during the process. The night in Birmingham changed everything, the audience were pre-programmed to be supportive to beginners, and actually, I had some funny moments, and I worked out, hang on, is Ginger funny? At this point, I started working on trying comedy material.

• In 2018, I entered Wig Wars in Edinburgh (on advice from people in the Birmingham scene), at this time I was no stranger to travel through my muggle job, and I thought sod it… and you know what, I placed in a Semi-final, then, a final, and then, on the final I made it to top 2. Something had clicked, and I noticed people back home in Manchester gave me different attention.

• In 2019, I entered a Drag Pageant, based in Kent, called Miss Drag UK, where guess what… I won. Out of c.24 drag queens, Ginger won. Why? Lord knows, I also find it hilarious that I won a beauty pageant when I look how I look, but it was clear it wasn’t about my polish, but my personality. However, the prizes were AWESOME, I met friends many of whom I am still close to today, and let’s call it what it is, I took full advantage of this title to launch what I knew I wanted by this time, a paid drag career.

Overall I think it’s worth reflecting at this time which something I have really valued from all of the above, are the friendships, connections and sense of community I’ve gained from being in Drag. Without them, this journey wouldn’t have been nearly as successful, or nearly as fun. I LOVED the early years, of asking people, what are you wearing, what number are you doing, and having no game play or ego in doing so…

• Later in 2019 I got my first Cabaret gig at the Sun Hotel in Bradford, and later, my first Sunday Drag DJ residency. I just want to acknowledge and thank Timmy Tease, for all the help and support he’s given me over the years.

• The Sun Hotel residency was a great platform to then land others including at two of my favourite venues, including Mondays in Bar Pop and the Dover Castle in Leicester. I still perform at these venues regularly and on some level they always feel like home.

Some people I need to Thank!

It now feels natural to acknowledge that working at these venues enabled me to work in so many other venues all over the UK, and I want to thank EVERY Venue owner, booker, General Manager, DJ, member of bar staff, coat room clerk, member of security and everyone who has helped Ginger exist in those spaces. There are too many venues to mention and tag them all, but I’m going to have a go, if I’ve missed one, it isn’t intentional, and I loved almost every single stage I’ve ever stepped on, even the ones where I’ve only performed once or twice.

In no particular order:

The Rem, The Cockatoo Club, Via, Eagle, New York New York, Thompsons, The Goose, Eden, The Boston, Sundowners, La, The Two Brewers, Halfway to Heaven, The City of Quebec, The Admiral Duncan, The Village Inn, The Loft, The Yard, Cc Blooms, Planet Bar, The London Hotel Southampton, Garlands, Mardi Gras, Flying Handbag, The Three Blackbirds, Affinity Bar, Centre Stage Brighton, Legends, O’Neills High Wycombe, Seamus O’Donnells, The Nothecote Arms, Leyton, Dreamboys, Funnyboyz, La Vida, The English Lounge, McGrath’s, Rusty’s, The Old Ship, The Mill Dam, Marys, The Golden Cross, The Museum of Comedy, the RVT, Hill Park Memorial Club, The Polo Lounge, The Manchester Comedy Club, The Hot Water Comedy Club, the Frog and Bucket, The Rainbow and Dove, Helsinki, Angel of Bow, The Neverland Theatre, Brewhemia Edinburgh, Assembly Theatre, La Boom, Aatma, Pantopticon, Summerhall Edinburgh, the Frockatoo Brunch, and many more.

I’d also like to acknowledge that the JOY of working on so many Cabaret stages is that I’ve also been able to work with lots of legends, and true staples of the scene. Whether I’ve just followed them, opened up for them, or even better got to perform with them. It’s a real privilege. There are COUNTLESS people to mention, so to every single person THANK YOU.

But I would like to say thank you to just SOME of the many amazing people I’ve got to sing with, again in no order:

Annabelle Lecter, Mrs Moore, Alexa Vox, Dr Bev, Dawn the Drag Queen, Cherry Good, Tina Tuna, Marie La Rae, Marsha Mallow, Portia Parker, Mamma Tasty, Tonya Kneez, Angela Bra, Fanny Burns, Amy La Queefa, Ruby Slippers, Baroness Mary Golds, Shazza Fierce, Shar Cooterie, Alana Duvey, Victoria Scone, Belinda Scandal, Amber Sands, Daisy DuPoint.

I’d also like to say a thank you to Annabelle who has been a great source of advice, and support this last decade, she has stopped me quitting at least once, and thanks to her, my Dreamboys gig looks after a big part of my diary.

I also have some exciting work coming up, including with Drag Bus UK this year, which was thanks to an introduction from the legend that was Miss Jason. Queens looking after queens has been a huge part of my success, and I am forever grateful for the brief time I knew that queen.

Some other amazing milestones!

I’d now like to just finally reflect on some of the other wonderful milestones I’ve had during my last decade, some of which you’ll know about, some may be a surprise.

• In 2019 I ran a daft vlog cast with a friend Donna Matrix, and a brilliant character Gerhard. I’ve learned a lot since then, but there’s a bouncing cheese moment you should look out for on my socials if you ever want a laugh!

• In 2020, the year so good they named it twice, I co-created the Top Banana pageant in lockdown with Victoria Scone, that raised thousands around £4000 for the LGBT foundation and made some fantastic friends all over the world. You can still watch it now on Youtube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvculAkrvSc&t=6655s

• In 2020, I got to perform the Spice Girls song ‘Who do you think you are’ with the Limelight Orchestra, thanks to an introduction from one of my old Cello Teachers and long-time supporters Lizzie Spear, on International woman’s day 2020. After that lockdown happened, hard not to take that personally!

• Also during lockdown, with the amazing help of Adam Joseph, I released two original songs on iTunes/other streaming platforms ‘stay in’ & ‘don’t fucking touch me’ and I released two music videos. These made no money, and not everyone liked them but they were a LOT of fun.

  • Stay In - Aunty Ginger - Adam Joseph Remix - Official music video - 18+

  • Don't Fxcking Touch Me - Aunty Ginger - Adam Joseph Remix

• In 2021, making the most of lockdown, I realised that I wanted to pursue standup in Drag, but needed some help, so I started working mentor Martin Mor and have done ever since. As a result of that work; I have headlined comedy gigs at the Manchester Comedy Club, I have won a comedy roast battle at Liverpool Hot Water Comedy Club, I won a drag queen’s versus comedians lip sync contest in Warrington, I was a semi-finalist at the ‘not so new comedian of the year competition’ in 2025 at the Museum of Comedy in London, I’ve got to work with the Bad Clowns of Comedy multiple times, I’ve beaten the Frog at the Frog and Bucket, and I’ve Headlined as a Comedian at the PIL Biker Rally.

• In 2021,I was cast and then hosted a game show called Big in Japan, which was AMAZING, think Takeshi’s Castle but better, I also got to work with Tequila Thirst which was lots of fun. It came with its own clothing budget, and was one of the most brilliant shows that I really wish could’ve been seen by more people….thanks lockdown!

• In 2022, I think, I got to be on BBC radio Leicester with Fanny Burns….something we both enjoyed and would love to do again.

• FRINGE, I have taken three, full one hour stand-up comedy shows to Edinburgh fringe in 2023 (I Consent), 2024 (Finding Splashman) and 2025 (Gingers Problem Area), each of which got four star reviews from professional critics, each were featured on BBC news with Courtney Bembridge (you can find on my channel), one of which got the ‘keep it fringe fund’, last year’s was judged for awards, and it had a write up from the British comedy guide which I will cherish forever. Amanda Dwyer / Chris Cook / Jordan Gray / Aunty Ginger / Kate Hammer - Bobby Carroll's Fringe Diary - British Comedy Guide

• I also got to perform Finding Splashman at the RVT in London in 2025 which was an incredible experience. Each of these shows were featured on the BBC News, I must acknowledge that I had a Director Mikey Smith on Finding Splashman, and he contributed material to Ginger’s Problem Area. I learned a LOT from him, and without him the shows wouldn’t have been what they were. I also had amazing poster designers, who I’d highly recommend Jack Newmeir and @That Girl.

• In 2024, I co-hosted a Free Fringe Edinburgh Show with Angela Bra called ‘Drag A Doo’, which yes, used that fabulous song by Black Lace during the *opener. This show was basically my burger fund during that Edinburgh run, and it was an absolute ball every single night.

• PANTO, I have performed in several pantos with the Neverland Theatre Skegness and have to say a HUGE Thank you to Garry Star who took a chance on me, and gave me my own show ‘Not for the Faint Hearted’, which I got to do with lots of amazing drag acts from the UK. In Panto, I played; Sarah The Fuck in ‘Whatever happened to Dick’, Widow Twanky in ‘Aladdin’. Mrs. Smee in ‘Peter Pan’ and Maid Miriam in ‘Rubbin it Good’. I’ve not done Panto in a while due to focussing on my personal life and Edinburgh Fringe, but I will go back and do some more, ‘we’ll have to do it again then won’t we’.

• In 2025, I was on shop smart save money a Channel 5 television programme with Tequila Thirst and Shar Cooterie.

• Since 2024 I have co-hosted a podcast ‘Bring Me to Queers’ with my friend Angela Bra, where once a fortnight we effectively have a facetime over zoom, and people can listen in (available on Spotify), whilst this podcast probably won’t ever make us a fortune, or even a penny, I am grateful that once a fortnight I get to have an hour with  a friend to talk about anything and everything, to celebrate our successes and give a peak behind the curtain of the realities (good and bad) of working in the scene.

Some suppliers I need to Thank.

I also want to finally shout out a few suppliers who have kept me alive. Gumption for my socials, Peter Hewitt for Dresses, Tarot for Wigs, James Massie AKA Queenie my Accountant, all of which I would have been lost without.

Crikey, this was a long write, and a long read, if you’ve made it this far. Thank you, if you gave up, I understand! I have learned a LOT in the last 10 years, and I’ve given advice in a different blog on my website to people who want to learn from things I’ve learned the hard way.

What’s in store for Ginger in the future you might be wondering? 

Well, I’ll be honest, the last couple of years I’ve gone through a Divorce which although has been amicable has been very hard to process. That isn’t anyone’s fault, and it’s not drag’s fault, but doing Drag had an impact on that relationship, it’s had an impact on other relationships, and at the moment I’m trying to put my eye back on the ball with balancing a personal life, and a work life. I love being Aunty Ginger, but at the moment I’m focusing on selling and buying houses before I do any major new projects. I also have an issue with my Van as of yesterday, which is another headache. So for now, I’m focussed on doing what Ginger has in the diary and doing it well. Writing new jokes, learning new songs, updating my wardrobe and hopefully leaving audiences feeling entertained.

Then, as time allows, Ginger will do some other new and exciting things, there’s no doubt.

A Final Thank You.

There’s one thank you I wanted to leave to the end, and that is to the Fans, the audience members, old, new and enduring. All of you, not only pay by bills, but you make it worth bloody doing! Thank you for the laugher, the drinks, the feedback, the lifts, the shoulders to cry on, and the shags too (before the crying happened 😉). I LOVE everyone who loves Aunty Ginger, and the people who don’t, it doesn’t matter, because I have you. And to everyone who got me to where I am today, I thank you, SO MUCH.

Thanks again for reading.

All the love,

Aunty Ginger x