in the news
from August 2008

Doncaster Pride organisers are thrilled to announce the host and presenter of this year’s six-hour stage spectacular is Big Brother winner and ‘all-time favorite housemate’ (voted 1997) Brian Dowling!

Doncaster Pride is on Sunday 17th August in the Market Place from 2-9pm and Dowling will be presenting and hosting the 3-6pm slot.

Dowling first appeared on TV on the 25th May 2001 when he nervously entered the Big Brother 2 house and onto our television screens. He entertained the nation for nine weeks with his humour, vulnerability and openness and became the inevitable winner. To this day, although many winners and housemates have appeared on subsequent shows, Dowling continues to remain every BB enthusiast’s favorite Big Brother.

Vice Chair of Doncaster Pride Jenny Dewsnap said: ‘We’ve been “chasing” Brian for a good few weeks now and we’re absolutely thrilled he’s agreed to come and present for us. This is only the second Doncaster Pride and we feel it’s news like this - along with Katrina Leskanich (formerly of Katrina and the Waves) headlining and Jane McDonald agreeing to be our patron - that stakes us a claim as one of the fastest growing and best regional prides in the entire country.’

Doncaster Pride is a non-political, family event staged by the lgbt communities but is welcoming of anyone who wants to let their hair down and join in the fun. It will feature a funfair and full continental and Pride market along with six hours of live entertainment.

Stage Manager Annette Ramsay said: ‘We’re still putting the finishing touches to the line up and we have more big news to come but we’re thrilled to bits Katrina has agreed to perform.’

Pride Chairman Trevor Jones added: ‘We’re really pleased with our line up - it shows how the event is growing and it’s great that in only our second year we have been able to go for such great acts - we promised a great party, we said this would be something special and we plan to deliver on those promises.’

As well as Katrina, the line-up includes top European Kylie tribute performer The Kylie Experience from Ireland, local performers Ti Amero and Tobias as well as last year’s Pride crowd-leasers Icelandic rockers Sign.

Organisers are promising there is still more big news to come on this years event. Jones concluded: ‘So much is coming together right now and every day we’re getting confirmation on something or other. We’ve got a fantastic amount still to do but rest assured there is plenty more big news to come. We’re now finalizing arrangements on a number of things including more performers, the set, stage arrangements and the market - it’s just non stop, watch this space!’

The party continues into its 12-hour marathon with the official ‘After Pride Party’ at Mood (Priory Walk) from 9.00 pm. Tickets on sale in advance and on the day, £2.