THE most famous British female impersonator of all times was Danny La Rue.

For decades Danny, who died in 2009, was a fixture of TV variety shows, West End theatre and provincial tours which took him to packed houses all over the country, including the Wyvern in Swindon.

In 1975, though, the Adver spoke to another London-based female impersonator called Danny Bowen.

That was the stage name of a 21-year-old Swindon man called Paul Rowe, who had recently headed for the big city in search of fame and fortune and had an appointments book full of club dates nationwide. His repertoire included songs made famous by the likes of Shirley Bassey.

“In his spare time,” we said, Danny Bowen makes his own working gear.

“It isn’t the designing or the cutting out and machining that take the time. The biggest chore is sewing on the beads and sequins.

“It has just taken him a full week to finish a spectacular full-length evening coat.“

Danny told us his interest in costume and the stage began when he was at Ferndale School. He later belonged to SALOS - Swindon Amateur Light Operatic Society.

“I used to be in all the school pantomimes and so on, and I always used to take the dame’s part.

“Then when I left school I took an apprenticeship in hairdressing, and because the money wasn’t very good in those days I started thinking of how I could earn a bit more.

“I don’t like the word drag, although I use it. I would rather be called a female impersonator.

“It’s not just a case of getting up on stage in a dress. Anybody can get up there in a dress and a wig, but to do it and entertain people for half an hour is an art.”

His first gig – at the Vickers Social Club in Supermarine Road – went down like the proverbial lead balloon, but two comics on the same bill encouraged him to persevere.

Danny enjoyed banter with his audiuences.

“Yes, you get rude remarks – but you just have to be quick with an answer for them.

“That is the odd thing. When you are doing a show you actually enjoy people throwing lines at you. It means you can answer them back and this way you both get a laugh. It is not embarrassing.”

Danny’s biggest fan was his mum, Mary, who lived in Moredon.

She said: “Oh yes, people do pull my leg about having a son who is a drag artist.

“I put it down to jealousy.”