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.

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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.