on the scene
from February 2008

The Mr Gay International competition took place at the end of January in Hollywood, LA with Mr UK, Mark Carter, claiming the third place. Mr Argentina scooped the crown with Mr Venezuela runner up, writes Paul Hunt.

The hugely popular Carter, Mr Gay UK 2006, wowed the judges and the crowd with his charm and dazzling physique at the glitzy awards gala climax on Sunday night, a culmination of four days’ public appearances, photo shoots and judges’ interviews alongside 20 other countries vying for the coveted title.

‘It was a very close event and all the guys competing were excellent,’ said Warren Short, Carter’s sponsor in Hollywood and founder of The Pink Peacock, the world’s newest online gay scene. ‘There was a fantastic camaraderie between the contestants and we are chuffed for Mark; he’s worked really hard to get here. I am very proud to have him represent The Pink Peacock and delighted to have been here with him.’

West Yorkshire police officer Carter, told Shout! he was ‘happy with the result and all 20 men were great ambassadors for their individual countries.’ The policeman, who lives in Bradford has the continued backing of the West Yorkshire force. ‘I want to continue the work I started after winning Mr Gay UK in 2006 by changing the public's perception of the stereotypical gay man,’ says Carter, ‘to promote to other gay young men that you can be successful in a professional job like policing is a huge step forward even today.’