We Can Be Heroes with Paul Burston

Today's guest is the shape-shifting man behind the singing sensation known as Miss Hope Springs – Ty Jeffries. The son of actor, director and screenwriter Lionel Jeffries, Ty was drawn to show business from an early age. A singer-songwriter who describes himself as very shy, he created Hope as a character to present his songs on his behalf. His heroes, heroines and influences include Jim Bailey, David Bowie, Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo. Miss Hope Springs will be performing at Polari in Heaven on Feb 22. Use promo code 'WCBH' for £3 off ticket price. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now from Amazon and all good bookshops. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is HIV/AIDS educator, activist, actor and king of the gym selfie Matthew Hodson. Matthew is Executive Director of the international HIV information charity aidsmap and former Chief Executive of the activist charity Gay Men Fighting AIDS. Matthew's heroes include Jodie Foster, Toyah Wilcox, Derek Jarman and Peter Tatchell. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now from Amazon and all good bookshops. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is author, artist and artist's muse Sue Tilley. Sometimes known as Big Sue, she was close friends with Leigh Bowery and wrote the official biography of the designer and performer, who died in 1994. She also famously posed for Lucian Freud. The portrait, Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, became the most expensive painting by a living artist. Now based in St Leonards, Sue continues to paint, run art classes, produce T shirts and help keep Leigh's legacy alive. Sue's heroes include Bowery, actor Drew Barrymore, filmmaker Baillie Walsh and fellow artist Rui Miguel Leitao Ferriera. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now from Amazon and all good bookshops. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is award-winning writer, performer and theatre maker Travis Alabanza. Alabanza's poetry was first published in 2015, in the anthology Black and Gay in the UK. As a performer, their work has been featured at Duckie, Bar Wotever, Late at Tate, the V&A and many other venues. Their shows include Burgerz and Overflow. They also starred in a stage adaptation of Derek Jarman’s Jubilee. Their book None of the Above describes their personal journey as a black queer person living beyond the gender binary. Alabanza's heroes include performance artist David Hoyle, actor and activist Laverne Cox and writer James Baldwin. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now from Amazon and all good bookshops. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is author Kerry Hudson. I first met Kerry shortly after the publication of her debut novel, Tony Hogan Bought Me An Ice Cream Float Before He Stole My Ma. She read at Polari at the Southbank Centre and was later shortlisted for The Polari First Book Prize. Since then, she's published a second novel, Thirst, and an award-winning memoir, Lowborn, about the realities of being poor in the UK today. Kerry's 'sheroes' include writers Andrea Dunbar and Bernardine Evaristo and her own best friend, who is head teacher at a South London school. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now from Amazon and all good bookshops. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is author, director, performer and playwright Neil Bartlett. I first came across Bartlett in the late '80s with his landmark play, A Vision of Love Revealed in Sleep – which began as a one-man performance piece and was later developed into a full scale production. Since then, he's produced an extraordinary body of work, including several prize-winning and shortlisted books. His latest, Address Book, is shortlisted for The Polari Prize 2022 Neil's heroes and heroines include Bette Bourne, Bette Midler, Juan Goytisolo, Rose Marie and Siouxsie Sioux. In a sometimes emotional conversation, we also discuss our mutual friend Derek Jarman, the late drag legend Regina Fong and contemporary performance artist David Hoyle. Neil Bartlett's latest work for the theatre includes new adaptations of Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jeckyll and Mr Hyde and Virginia Woolf's Orlando. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now from Amazon and all good bookshops. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is someone I’ve known personally for over 30 years – singer, actress and one third of award-winning cabaret trio Fascinating Aida, Adele Anderson. Adele's heroes and heroines include a famous jazz musician, an inspirational trans icon and two women close to her heart, personally and professionally. In a characteristically candid conversation, Adele also talks about cancel culture, radical drag, her personal journey as a trans woman and surviving cancer – and writing and performing songs about both. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's guest is the best-selling author Louisa Young, whose books include the memoir You Left Early: A True Story of Love and Alcohol and her latest novel Twelve Months And A Day. A former journalist, a singer-songwriter and creative writing tutor, her heroes include Johnny Cash, James Baldwin, Dolly Parton and her late boyfriend, composer Robert Lockhart. She also talks about the impact of addiction, everyday acts of heroism and the importance of helping others. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published by Little A and is available to preorder now. Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is the artist formerly known as Dusty O, otherwise known as David Hodge. For many years, David presented as Dusty – drag DJ and club promoter extraordinaire, self-proclaimed queen of Soho. As Dusty, he met everyone from childhood heroes Boy George and Pete Burns to Madonna. But the lifestyle took its toll. A few years ago, David stepped away from the gay scene and began painting. He was the first out gay artist to exhibit his work at the Houses of Parliament. Now he's written a memoir, The Boy Who Sat By The Window, which charts his life from bullied schoolboy in Walsall to queen of Soho and beyond. David's heroes include Boy George, Vivienne Westwood and Molly Parkin. We also discuss how he went from painting his face to making paintings and publishing his memoir. To find out more about David and his artwork, please visit Instagram Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now from Amazon and other bookshops. Artwork by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is Booker Prize winning author and diversity champion Bernardine Evaristo. Bernie won the Booker for her eighth novel Girl, Woman, Other. Her memoir, Manifesto is a testament to her determination to succeed. She is Professor of Creative Writing at Brunel University London and President of the Royal Society of Literature. Bernie's heroes and heroines include Viola Davis, Oprah Winfrey and Edward Enninful. She also discusses the heroism of people like Quentin Crisp and those who forge their own path, despite the "curtain twitchers of suburbia". To find out more about Bernardine and her work, please visit her website. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now. Artwork by Mark Wardel aka Trademark If you've enjoyed listening to this podcast, you might enjoy the Paul Burston newsletter, where you'll find the latest updates on my books, offers and competitions. Sign up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here's a taste of who's coming up on season two of We Can Be Heroes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is actor, writer and director Nicholas Pegg, author of the authoritative book on Bowie, The Complete David Bowie. He is also co-creator of Decades. Nick's heroes and heroines include a fictional character, a famous Victorian novelist and a certain shape-shifting rock icon. He also discusses the everyday heroism of mothers, life as a Dalek on Dr Who and It's a Sin and the new Bowie documentary Moonage Daydream. It's an intergalactic, time travelling crash course for the ravers! To find out more about Nick and his work, follow him on Twitter Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now. Artwork by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is author Juno Roche, whose books include the Polari Prize shortlisted Trans Power and her new memoir, A Working Class Family Ages Badly Juno's heroes and heroines include her late friend Simon, American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and Julia Roberts as Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love She also pays tribute to all those who died of AIDS and those, like her, who are longterm survivors living with HIV. Content warning - abuse, addiction, HIV stigma, violence. To find out more about Juno and her work, follow her on Twitter or Instagram Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now. Artwork by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is actor, playwright, director and producer Alexis Gregory, whose plays include Slap, Safe, Sex / Crime and Riot Act, which is currently on tour. A verbatim play, based on interviews with real people, Riot Act is about three gay male activists, including host Paul Burston. Alexis's plays are published by Bloomsbury Publishing. His heroes and heroines include Sandra Bernhard, Tony Kushner and Madonna. He also pays tribute to fellow writers Neil Bartlett and Mark Ravenhill, his friend and mentor Rikki Beadle-Blair and more. To find out more about Alexis and his work, follow him on Twitter or visit his website Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now. Artwork by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is best-selling poet Nikita Gill, whose many books include The Girl and The Goddess, These Are The Words, Fierce Fairytales and Where Hope Comes From. Nikita's heroes and heroines include singer Freddie Mercury, poets Lucille Clifton and Maya Angelou and her own grandmother. She also pays tribute to contemporary crime writers Lisa Jewell and Ruth Ware and talks about the challenges of being a brown queer woman and the importance of LGBTQ+ elders. To find out more about Nikita and her work, follow her on Twitter or Instagram Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now Artwork by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is artist, writer and self-styled 'vampyre of Soho', Jason Ford. The son of a white Australian mother and an African-American father, Jason was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. His heroes include Grace Jones, Prince and jazz pianist Count Basie – two of whom he had the pleasure of meeting. He also talks about his religious upbringing, coming out, living his Studio 54 fantasy and his passion for reinvention. Jason's insta-novella Strange Fruit was long-listed for The Polari First Book Prize 2021. He is currently working on a new writing project. For more information, please visit his website or follow him on Twitter Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is author and journalist Susie Boyt. Her books include the best-selling memoir My Judy Garland Life, which was made into a stage musical. Her latest novel is the critically-acclaimed Loved and Missed – out now in paperback and described by Joan Bakewell as 'poignant, witty, lyrical and perceptive'. Susie pays tribute to the Hollywood icon she's loved since childhood and also to her late mother, who taught her many valuable life lessons. Susie talk movingly about their relationship, how Judy Garland changed her life and how memories of her mother helped shape her new novel. George Michael also makes a surprise guest appearance! Follow Susie on Twitter Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is DJ and best-selling author of I Don't Take Requests, Fat Tony. A clubland legend since the 1980s, Tony nearly died of an AIDS-related illness and battled with drug addiction before going into rehab in 2006. We last met in person when artist Mark Wardel aka Trademark showcased portraits of us both as part of his exhibition Scene - A-Listers, Heroes and Heroines at La Galleria in 2010. Since then, Tony's life has changed immeasurably. He DJs all over the world, knows everyone from Madonna to Elton John and the Beckhams and counts Boy George and Kate Moss among his friends. Among his heroes are singer-songwriter and personal friend George Michael and trailblazing 'stately homo' Quentin Crisp. Tony's frank, witty memoir I Don't Take Requests became a Sunday Times bestseller and is available now from all good bookshops. Find him on Instagram @dj_fattony_ Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today’s guest is author Louise Beech. It took many years and many rejections for Louise to finally get a book deal in 2015. Since then she’s published eight genre-defying novels, including How To Be Brave, This Is How We Are Human, I Am Dust, Call Me Star Girl and The Lion Tamer Who Lost, which was nominated for the Polari Prize. Her latest novel is Nothing Else. Her memoir Daffodils is available now as an audiobook, and explores a shocking family suicide attempt and a very challenging childhood. For more information, please visit her website Among Louise’s heroines are Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe and author and #MeToo campaigner Madeliene Black. Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now Content warning – this episode contains references to childhood sexual abuse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the podcast where author Paul Burston invites guests to pay tribute to the people who've inspired them and helped shape their lives. Today's guest is singer, songwriter and art historian David McAlmont. David first came to public attention with the band Thieves, before pursuing a solo career. He later teamed up with Bernard Butler and released the hit single Yes. Since then, he's worked with David Arnold, Guy Davies, Janette Mason, Michael Nyman and more. Among David's many heroes and heroines are James Baldwin, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Danny La Rue and Margo Channing from All About Eve. In this wide-ranging interview, he also talks movingly about his mother and sister, his love of art and his personal experiences of fame, racism and homophobia. His latest musical collaboration with Hifi Sean, the single Maybe, is out now. The album Happy Endings will be released in September. Find him on Instagram @David.Mcalmont Paul Burston's memoir We Can Be Heroes will be published in June 2023 and is available to pre-order now Image by Mark Wardel aka Trademark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.