Danny Beard
Published: Tuesday 28th May 2024
One random comedian, eight random questions; it's the ultimate test of funny person and fate.
This week we welcome the razor-sharp Danny Beard, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race 18 months ago, a semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent before that, and now a regular on Radio 1, where the word 'beard' does evoke some mighty names. Edmonds. Peel. Travis. Big shoes.
Come September the lavishly-bewigged Liverpudlian is also heading out on tour, with Straight Expectations, to all sorts of intriguing places. Will it be rock-and-roll behaviour then, or ultra professional? And what are Danny's afterparty plans in, say, Poole, or Milton Keynes?
"I am a professional who likes to have a party and that's what the show is about really," Beard reveals. "The glue of the show is the songs, and the songs are chosen to give the audience the best night out."
"So if the show goes well I won't need an afterparty. In Poole for the afterparty I'll probably get on the bus and leave, and Milton Keynes I didn't even know I was going and I'm now a bit pissed off to be honest."
Chinny reck-on. Danny Beard, your Random 8 await.
What was your favourite TV show, as a kid?
Sings *every day when you're walking down the street and the people that you meet.* Arthur - I love that little weird fucker. He was like an aardvark that looked like a Moomin and had a really annoying sister.
Ever met a particularly great or awful famous person?
I know it's cheesy as I've done Drag Race, but Graham Norton and Alan Carr I feel have been real champions of me. I think as someone who aspires to be like them in the showbiz world - and by 'be like them' I mean being successful in presenting and comedy - they are very inspirational. So, to have that support has been lovely.
We don't need to focus on the awful but there was one very orange person from TOWIE with horrendous sliders.
What's the best thing in your wardrobe?
The most amazing ostrich coat that cost me a small fortune that I bought for the finale of Drag Race because I was over cocky and thought I would win - I did win, thank god. But I just love wearing it at parties or just drunk round the house and the next day I wake up and there's random ostrich feathers everywhere and I'm like 'oh I got the coat out again.' And everyone who comes round wants to try it on.
Is there a film or show that changed your life?
Wicked changed my life, as a musical with Idina Menzel. It was the first time I had seen someone who was 'other' on stage represented. As a young queer kid, although her story wasn't about being queer, it felt like to me; the metaphor of the green skin was being queer, and it made me feel like I was Elphaba.
I left the theatre singing Loathing and I was so inspired, and it made me want to be more.
Your most regrettable purchase?
My pet tortoise - Norman, it's like having a pet rock and they live for a long time. He's out on the balcony, I've just spent a load of money on a custom-built run and hut and the fucker bit me.
What's the oddest thing you've ever eaten?
I will eat anything. Ostrich, Koala... oh, no sorry, I stroked a Koala. Listen, once you've eaten in a few rough chippies in Liverpool, my stomach can take anything.
Who are you most envious of?
Adele. Her fellah's fit, she's got loads of money, she can sing and I'm a massive fan.
Which low-key law would you introduce?
Introduce fast walking lanes for the Gays. Straight people walk so slow. I'll be on it with an iced coffee in my hand and somewhere to be.
Danny Beard: Straight Expectations is touring from September. Info & tickets
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