In the 70s, 80s and 90s Earls Court was the gay mecca hub for gay men who didn't want to trek into Soho and the West End of London

Gay Expo in Islington - circa 96/97 | Lost Gay London G ay Expo, Islington Circa 96/97 Photos submitted from Juha Repo

About The Full Story This is your About page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your site has to offer. Your users are genuinely interested in learning more about you, so don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes to create a more friendly quality. Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to provide any personal details you want to share with your followers. Include interesting anecdotes and facts to keep readers engaged. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement. Let’s Work Together Get in touch so we can start working together. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

SANDRA HUSH aka David Hunter David Hunter, also known as Sandra Hush was a doyenne of the British drag scene for over two decades. David primarily worked as a window dresser when he first moved to London. His eye for detail and design would fuel his incredible talent which was yet to be unleashed. David rapidly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, not just as a performer but also as a seamstress, costume designer, wig dresser, choreographer, producer, scriptwriter, sound technician et al. In all, he was the complete package! His talent for all the above was unfounded. Every costume fastidiously designed and stitched, every part of his made up face was an immaculate work of art, not a single strand of beautifully coiffed nylon hair was ever out of place - the show could not go on until those perfectly manicured false nails were glued on tight. Every show was a testament to his skill as an illusionist and artiste of his craft. David worked in various double and triple acts alongside the likes of the legendary Lily Savage , David Dale, (Lily, Sandra & David Dales act was called LSD), with HIH Regina Fong and Miss Mercedes as Triple X, The Lady Christine, Alice & Barbara of ABC fame, Connie and Beryl of Miss Demeanours fame, Millie Mopp and Lola Lasagne to name but a few - his input and ideas were infectious, his shows legendary and his love for his fellow artistes undeniable. David was witty, acerbic, gentle, loving and kind. He was adored by so many and loved by so many — by John Dickson 'David was very generous with his talent. He made costumes, dressed wigs etc not only for many of the established acts on the circuit but also for those aspiring drag queens who would turn up at his flat clutching a bedraggled excuse for a wig and like one of Cinderella’s fairy godmothers, in no time at all he would turn it into a work of art fit for any head. If the impossible was impossible, he’d also tell you in no uncertain terms where to stick it - this would invariably be “up your hoop”, an affectionate term amongst his circle for ones arse. David was witty, acerbic, gentle, loving and kind. He was adored by so many and loved by so many. The last time I visited David in hospital at the old Chelsea & Westminster hospital site, we laughed, we cried, I brought him his lunch, we hugged, he was alive with copious amounts of wit and sarcasm … he held onto this unique sense of humour throughout the various infections and illnesses this insidious disease threw at him. All the nurses adored him. As we hugged goodbye, I looked into his eyes and I knew this would be the last time I saw David. I think he knew too. I was to see that very same look in several others eyes prior to their demise over the following years.On the day of his funeral his family were delayed in London’s infamous all day rush hour traffic; they travelled from the Midlands where David hailed from and we had to start without them. I was asked to stand in for his brother and carry David’s coffin into the chapel. It was an honour for me as a final thank you for the laughter, the tears, friendship and love this amazing person brought to so many. I couldn’t have been prouder. David made an indelible impact on those he met, none more so than with his partner Mike Geraghty. Mike has red hair, David adored red heads. I do believe Mike was David’s one true love; they both truly loved each other. David was able to be himself; Sandra, sequins and feathers were part of the package. Equally, David wouldn’t look out of place propping up the bar in one of London’s many infamous leather bars, dressed in leather jeans, big boots and a customised waistcoat made of leather and adorned with studs that he designed and made on the very same sewing machine as countless over the top stage costumes, casting witty aspersions on the assembled throng of Leather Marys. David played both parts so well … if only they knew. I stand here and shout out loud and proud for David Hunter, Amazonian Drag Doyenne & Goddess, Sandra Hush' I love you as much now as I did 29 years ago before you were so abruptly taken from us my friend. May you remain forever immortalised on this amazing medium, The AIDS Memorial and I just bet you are still turning bedraggled nylon ‘riah’ bundles into beautiful works of art for all the gone but not forgotten drag angels above ” — by John Dickson “David Hunter, also known as Sandra Hush, died from AIDS related complications on 1st September 1992; he was 38.

London DJs from the 80s, 90s and 2000s. Tony De Vit, Blu Peter, Lord Kaos, Pete Wardman, Princess Julia LONDON SCENE DJS LEE HARRIS Lee Harris was one of the London scene’s most popular DJs. From his first residency at UK superclub, Slinky, back in 1999 - to later winning the Ministry of Sound Magazine’s DJ competition. Lee went on to be one of the most bookable DJs - both at home & abroad. His varied career has included residences & bookings at Coronet (London), Fire ( London), Drieze (Montpellier), Tignes (France), Keleous 8 (Greece), central studios (Utrecht), Escherwyss club (Zürich), Aura (Vancouver), The academy (Dublin) Audio (Brighton), 560 (Vancouver), MG (Milan), Ministry of sound (London), Tiergarten (nurnberg), Melusina (Luxembourg), Void (Manchester), Ramee Grand (Bahrain), 1181 (Vancouver), Xtra (Zürich), Opera House (Bournemouth), Cafe de Paris (London), The end (London), Spin (Dubai) to name just a few, alongside gay prides around the world including Manchester, London, Vancouver, Zürich, Montpellier, Brighton & European Gay Ski Pride. Lee’s podcast - HouseNation UK has had a massive 4.5 million downloads & he continues to dominate the iTunes music podcast. His passion & creativity, as well as his mixture of chunky baselines, big beats, uplifting synths & thumping hands in the air’ house has ensured his name will remain as one of the most memorable DJs from our scene. Lost Gay London sends our condolences to Lee's partner and family. R.I.P Lee Harris - August 2025 'We shared such a mutual love of music and nightlife and I know that one of Lee’s greatest joys in life was sharing his music and passion with everyone.' - Paul Heron Tony De Vit Antony/Tony de Vit (12 September 1957 – 2 July 1998) Tony was an English DJ and music producer. He is considered one of the most influential of his generation. Tony was credited with helping to take the "hard house" and fast "hard NRG" sounds out of the London and Birmingham gay scene into mainstream clubs.His single "Burning Up" reached number 25 on the UK Singles Chart in March 1995, with "To the Limit" making number 44 in September 1995. During that year, he won BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix of the Year Award, as voted by listeners of the show, and Music Week's re-mix of Year Award for Louise's "Naked".He remixed several UK top 40 hits during his career with artists such as Taylor Dayne and East 17. Between 1994 and 1998 his popularity with the clubbing public was rivalled by only Paul Oakenfold and Carl Cox. In September 2010, Mixmag UK announced the nominations of 35 DJs chosen by other big names in the world of dance music as those they considered the best DJs ever. A subsequent 15-month survey, which polled hundreds of thousands of global votes, asked who was the "greatest DJ of all time" and when the result was announced in January 2011, Tony was ranked number 9 in the world. Tony played many clubs in his time, however he really was considered 'Best of the best' at Trade at Turnmills, London, to which he still has a huge faithful fan base. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Rachel Auburn Rachel Auburn (born 1958) is a British fashion designer and hard house and trance disc jockey and music producer. She has performed her music extensively internationally, and was both the first female DJ to play in China and the first to showcase 1980s London clubland fashion in New York and Tokyo. Auburn has held DJ residencies at club events including Tidy Trax , Taboo, and Trade , and has achieved UK chart success under her own name and the Tidy Girls and Candy Girls aliases. Auburn was born in Kingston upon Thames in 1958. She has a degree in fashion design from Harrow College . Auburn is known for her "unconventional" and "experimental" fashion designs. She first set up a stall in Kensington Market in 1982, and went on to be a significant presence as both a designer and a disc jockey in London's clubland. She first met Leigh Bowery at the market, and together they went on to open a stall together called 'Spend Spend Spend' and were the first to showcase the 1980s London clubland fashion scene in New York and Tokyo organised by Susanne Bartsch . Auburn has work in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Victoria , and was featured in the 2013 exhibition, Club to Catwalk, at the Victoria and Albert museum . Along with Paul Masterson , Auburn formed the C andy G irls duo. Their single "Wham Bam", with Sweet Pussy Pauline , peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1996. Auburn was in the Tidy Girls, a Tidy Trax hard house collaboration with Lisa Lashes , Anne Savage , and Lisa Pin-Up . The Tidy Girls eponymous release achieved success in the UK official singles chart in 1999. In 2015 Auburn mixed the retrospective best-of compilation Reactivate 91-01 for the React record label. It received positive critical reception, with one reviewer stating that, for the label React, it was "by far their best compilation". To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Blu Peter Peter Harris (born 1961), popularly known as Blu Peter, is a British electronic dance music producer and disc jockey from South Wales , who pioneered the nu-NRG music genre in the late 1990s. In the early 1990s, he served as resident DJ at major London nightclubs Heaven and Turnmills and has performed at raves and nightclubs around the world. After establishing his DJ career, Peter began producing original music as Blu Peter. He released dozens of 12-inch singles , CD singles , and remixes , many through React Music Limited of London. In 1999, he released his first full-length studio album, Widescreen & Digital. Peter also partnered with Kevin White to form a production duo called Elevator. Together they co-produced numerous singles and EPs from 1994 through the early 2000s. Harris has also produced and co-produced a small number of singles and remixes under the aliases Blu Peter & Sal, The Groove Council, Quench, and Mass. As Blu Peter, he's compiled volumes 8, 9, 10, and 12 of the Reactivate techno and trance compilation album series. To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Lord Kaos aka Dominic Sinclair Rich B Rich B was a DJ based in London, England, who ran his own label, Enriched Records. A pioneer of the British house music scene, he remained a prominent figure in the music industry and an in-demand producer and remixer. In his last few years he officially remixed (with studio partner DJ Phil Marriott), RuPaul & Michelle Visage, Conchita Wurst, LeAnn Rimes, Erasure, Dannii Minogue, Dave Aude & Jessica Sutta, CeCe Peniston, Nile Rodgers, Holly Johnson, Florrie and more, and topped the US and UK upfront charts three times. As a solo remixer his Enriched Mixes also made waves, notably on the US circuit scene, for artists including Toy Armada & DJ GRIND, Joe Gauthreaux, Inaya Day, Abigail, Temporary Hero and the Billboard Dance Chart #1 hit “Lick Me Up” by Tony Moran, Dani Toro and Zhana Royia.With his label Enriched Records, he also had club hits with Lady Bunny, Marcella Puppini, Levi Kreis, Cool Like Daddy, Chrissy Darling to name a few.Rich B perfected his trademark uplifting sound through his key DJ residencies in the UK, most notably on the huge main dance floor at the world famous Heaven in London from 1994 to 2001 (The Fruit Machine), the legendary Love Muscle at The Fridge, Sherbet and Crash (all also in London), as well as at Paradise Factory and Essential in Manchester, Luvely in Edinburgh, and on both Gaydio and Gaydar Radio.He has also played regularly for Alternative Holidays and RSVP Vacations, and toured Brazil, South Africa, and the USA.He was also a regular DJ at the European Snow Pride, the high profile and popular annual gay ski event in the French Alps. 1/3 Princess Julia Princess Julia is a London-based DJ, writer, and fashion icon, known for her prominent role in the Blitz Kids subculture of the late 1970s and early 1980s. She gained recognition as a muse and model, notably appearing in Visage's "Fade to Grey" video. Beyond her fashion influence, Princess Julia is a respected DJ, playing at various clubs and events, and has also written for magazines and websites. Here's a more detailed look at her career: Early Career & Blitz Kids: Princess Julia was a key figure in the Blitz Kids, a group known for their distinctive style and influence on the New Romantic movement. She was a model and muse, working with various designers and appearing in music videos. DJing Career: In the mid-1980s, she transitioned into DJing, becoming a staple on the London club scene. She's known for her uplifting and fun sets, captivating dance floors with her energy and music selection. Beyond the Dance Floor: Princess Julia's influence extends beyond music and fashion. She's a writer, contributing to magazines and websites, and is known for her engaging storytelling. She's also involved in nurturing new talent and encouraging individuality within the creative community. Ongoing Influence: She remains an active part of London's club, art, and fashion scenes, continuing to DJ, curate events, and inspire others. Her life story is so compelling that there's even been talk of it being adapted into a musical.

Page Title This is a Paragraph. Click on "Edit Text" or double click on the text box to start editing the content and make sure to add any relevant details or information that you want to share with your visitors. Click Here Section Title Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement.

Trade was a culturally important gay club night held at Turnmills in London founded in 1990 by Laurence Malice. Turnmills was the first club in the UK to be given a 24-hour "Music & Dance" licence. This was gained after Laurence Malice convince Newman that there was a need for people to be able to party in a safe environment after 3 am. Trade resident DJs included, Martin Confusion, Daz Saund, Trevor Rockliffe, and Malcolm Duffy, Tony De Vit, Tall Paul, Alan Thompson, Pete Wardman, Ian M

Original background art by Mark Wardel

FF was an infamous Sunday night club based at Turnmills, Farringdon, London EC1. (1989–1996) FF was favoured by those who loved the Hardcore party scene and enjoyed the right full-on hard core sound of trance and techno. The club had an amazing line-up of residence DJs including Blu Peter, Dr Mu and Mrs Wood. FF @ Turnmills Farringdon, London EC1 (1989–1996) FF was an infamous Sunday night club based at Turnmills, Farringdon, London EC1. (1989–1996) FF was favoured by those who loved the Hardcore party scene and enjoyed the right full-on hard core sound of trance and techno. The club had an amazing line-up of residence DJs including Blu Peter, Dr Mu and Mrs Wood. Lady Denise and the infamous Shiny Best door-whore in town, Suzie Krueger Sunday nights at Turnmills, club rundown FF (1989–1996) Warriors (1996–1997) originally run by Buffalo, Spike, Taz and DJ Lord Kaos (Nursie). Melt (1997–1999) Techno, Nu-Nrg Club. Habit (2000–2001)

PHOTOPAGE Lost Gay London has a large amount of photos currently being migrated from our Facebook page over to this site. To view what is currently available, hover your mouse over the Photos tab at the top of the page, and a drop-down menu will show you our current photo pages (pictured below) . We hope you enjoy the memories, and remember, there is so many more memories coming very soon. Stay tuned!

Paul James O'Grady/Lily Savage (14 June 1955 – 28 March 2023) Paul was a renowned English comedian, broadcaster, actor, writer, and drag queen. He first gained prominence in the 1980s within London's gay scene through his drag persona Lily Savage, which became a significant part of his identity and helped him achieve wider recognition in the 1990s. Known for her outspoken personality, sharp wit, and distinctive Scouse accent, Lily Savage became a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. LILY SAVAGE aka Paul O'Grady 'You need two things in a riot, flat shoes and a pram' Lily Savage Costume worn by Paul O'Grady as Lily Savage Paul James O'Grady (14 June 1955 – 28 March 2023) Paul was a renowned English comedian, broadcaster, actor, writer, and drag queen. He first gained prominence in the 1980s within London's gay scene through his drag persona Lily Savage, which became a significant part of his identity and helped him achieve wider recognition in the 1990s. Known for her outspoken personality, sharp wit, and distinctive Scouse accent, Lily Savage became a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. Over the decades, O'Grady transitioned from performing in underground gay clubs to mainstream television, showcasing his versatility and talent. In the 2000s, he moved away from his drag persona and became a popular television and radio presenter, hosting shows such as *The Paul O'Grady Show* and *For the Love of Dogs*. His career was marked by his warmth, humour, and genuine connection with audiences, making him a cherished figure in British entertainment until his passing in 2023. 'Have I got to get changed? I’m f*cking sick of this. I’m in and out. The frocks on, the frocks off. I'm like an Amsterdam tart – and not a sh*g in the middle of it' Lily Savage 1/1 'I dress up as a middle-aged prostitute and do a game show' Lily Savage 1/2 ‘I like a Blackpool breakfast, me – 20 ciggies and a pot of tea.’ Lily Savage 1/2 Read Lily's Full Story below: Lilian Maeve Veronica Savage was conceived in Butlins, Pwllheli and was born in Liverpool, outside The Legs Of Man public house, Lime Street. Lily is decidedly cagey about the exact date, but it was rumoured that this diva's birthday fell on the feast day of St. Veronica. It was also the day that Ruth Ellis was hanged, 13 July 1955. Her mother, Hellcat Savage, didn't have gas or air but just lay on a Policeman's Mac and was assisted by the midwife, Mrs Maureen Scobie, who held the Policeman's torch because it was a dark night. Two hours later, Lily's mother was sitting on a bar stool inside the pub having a cherry beer. Hellcat was one of the Wirral's leading lady wrestlers until she had a nasty accident and then she became an Odour Eater demonstrator for Woolworths, in selected stores all round the country. Lily's grandmother, Erica Von Savage, whose real name was Bernadette, was mad as a hatter and would say she was a secret agent going off on missions when actually she was working as a chalet maid on the Isle Of Man. She died of hypothermia after shoplifting frozen turkeys from Bejams. Erica had loved playing with kids so after she was cremated her ashes were put in an Etch-a-Sketch so they could still play with her. Lily had an adopted sister, Veronica Alice Cheeseman, now sadly deceased. 'Our Vera' was found on the step in a little basket, all wrapped in swaddling clothes, with a big label round her neck. She was 23 at the time. Lily's mam had just bought bunk beds and as it was a shame to waste them, she took Vera in. Vera was rather plain looking and wore glasses like re-entry shields but she was very close to Lily. Lily had a happy childhood and was Miss Pears 1959. At five she wanted ballet lessons but they were too expensive. Her family were poor but they were shoplifters. Instead, Lily did country dancing at St. Winifred's Reform School and was also in the Legion Of Mary before being expelled. The Holy nuns couldn't keep her under control so she was put in a detention centre. Lily took up the oldest profession and both her and Vera also did some modelling. Lily was centrefold for Angler's Weekly, May issue, as a dressed crab and Vera did two adverts for Nursing Mirror, one for incontinence pads and the other for a Stannah stairlift. Lily's first real job was in Woolies on the Pick 'n' Mix and then she was moved to the cold meat counter before her now manager discovered her. She also worked as a stripper in the Blue Balloon Club, Huddersfield, alongside the Tooting Bec Twirler, Gaby Rose Lyn. Before long, Lily was appearing in elegant watering holes such as The Elephant And Castle and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern where she took part in Stars Of The Future. Not afraid to work with animals, Lily initially featured a ferret in her act then later teamed up with Skippy the fox, who is now retired and living in a home in Brighton. In her early acting career she made a low budget, Swedish movie, 'Nativity 2', filmed in a block of flats in Stockwell. She has also done children's parties as Lily Poppins. She would make a trifle out of Night Nurse and finish them off with a Benylin scone. Her theatre debut came in 1991 when she appeared at the Hackney Empire, a show witnessed by the ghost of her grandmother who watched from the box. Television beckoned and in 1995 Lily landed her own variety series, 'Live From The Lilydrome', recorded in Blackpool. She was back in the seaside resort the following year when her show on the North Pier broke all box office records selling in excess of 100,000 tickets and winning her a gold disc. More TV success followed with the 'Big Breakfast' where Lily interviewed celebrities whom she'd enticed onto her bed. She was known as 'Queen of the Boudoir'. In 1996 Lily won Cosmopolitan's 'best looking legs' award, which was followed by Lily advertising snag-free Resilience tights in 1997 for Pretty Polly. The TV offers continued to flooded in and Lily became host of the resurrected game show 'Blankety Blank' on which contestants competed for prizes such as toasters and sets of pans. Interspersed with TV, there were sell-out tours in theatres up and down the country. She was now playing such esteemed venues as the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall and made her debut in London's West End with 'Prisoner Cell Block H The Musical'. Lily was able to draw on her own experiences in the detention centre to play the prisoner wrongly accused of killing her sister, Vera. Further stage credits included Miss Hannigan in the musical 'Annie'. At this time, Lily was asked to compere the Royal Variety Performance but had to decline due to work commitments. She did however perform at the show with a routine from 'Annie'. Most recently, she has undertaken five seasons of Pantomime playing The Wicked Queen in 'Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs'. Although being in showbiz, Lily also found time to become a wife and mother. Unfortunately, Lily was the first in her family to get divorced but this was hardly surprising since she was the only one to have got married in the first place. Since then, she has been romantically linked with the Australian charmer, Bob Downe, whom she first met in 1991 at one of her many Edinburgh Festival appearances. They subsequently toured together both in the UK and Australia. Although they professed to be "just good friends" they were engaged at one stage. Lily broke off the engagement when the ring Bob gave her turned her finger green. Lily has two illegitimate children, Bunty Bernadette and Jason (her social worker wouldn't take the kids off her). The eldest, Bunty married Ashley, a Hells Angel, turned tile cleaner, from Wigan. Before Ashley slung his hook, they provided Lily with her first grandchild, Kylie Marie. At puberty, she will no doubt inherit the Savage Streak, that clump of black hair amid the peroxide blonde, similar to the Mallen Streak. Lily's son, Jason Ozzie Savage, was born in 1980 and is the only male member of the Savage clan. He spent some time in borstal a private boys school, just outside Harrogate for being branded the Stockwell arsonist but he was innocent. He wants to be a film maker and practiced by making a video diary of his dysfunctional family. Once Lily made the big time she moved her family from her Lambeth multi storey flat to a dead posh house in Hampstead, 63 Upitself Avenue. With Richard & Judy and Katie Boyle as neighbours, the area is a bit rough but Lily's mansion is set in it's own grounds and even has an indoor swimming pool. Lily's mother's ashes sit in an urn next to the pool since she loved water and was always down the docks. Of a morning, Lily enjoys a Blackpool breakfast - 20 ciggies (Lambert & Butler) and a pot of tea. She only drinks cider but not the designer muck. During the winter, Lily likes nothing better than to visit Skye with the dogs. She would often go on holiday with Vera to Lourdes with the Union of Catholic Mothers or visit her 4-berth caravan in Talacre North Wales, which is available for hire, October to January. Now that she is a superstar and International Sex Kitten, Lily has reputedly insured her legs for £1 million with Lloyds of London and has developed her own range of beauty products including a perfume, Flame of Llandudno, by Avon but she remains true to her roots and still wears M&S 100% cotton, double gusset drawers. Her previous occupation behind her, Lily still provides the occasional 'special' service to very respectable gentlemen. LOVE LILY?