In Photos: The finalists for Mr Gay UK 2011
PinkNews.co.uk helps you navigate the contestants for the 2011 Mr Gay UK competition, which is back after a three year absence.
The top three finalists, as voted for by the public online, will be invited to the final ceremony for the coronation of Mr Gay UK 2011 in Leeds next month.
The prizes this year include a professional photo-shoot on location in Morocco, the opportunity to enter Mr. Gay Europe and £2000 in cash.
Voting will be open from 8-29 November, and the final three will be announced on Wednesday 30 November.
Browse the contestants by clicking on the page numbers below, then cast your vote at www.mrgayuk.co.uk to help them make it to the final.
Name: Kyle Broughton
Age: 22
Occupation: Airport Ambassador
Region: Nottingham
Venue: Propaganda
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
“Well I heard that it was comign up and I just thought it was one of those things that if I didn’t do now, I never would”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“Shocked more than anything – I really wasn’t expecting it. They announce 3rd and 2nd and I thought, well that’s it I’ve not made it, and then they said my name”
How do you feel about the final?
“Nervous really. I know I have to do a lot of stuff to get through to the final 3 so I’m not going to sit back. I’ve lived in Nottingham for 18 months now and I really like the gay scene there, I’ve met lots of really nice and supportive people”
What will you do with the money if you win?
“I’ve always wanted to start my own fashion line. I’ve been designing clothes for two years now, in fact the vest I wore in the fashion shoot is one that I made. There’s nowhere in Nottingham to get individual men’s fashion, so I’d love to have some funding to start my own line”
Name: Greg Lumley
Age: 27
Occupation: Designer
Region: Middlesbrough
Venue: Blu
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
“Well actually, I wasn’t going to, because I wasn’t really confident enough to do it. But when I got there I just thought why not? You only live once!”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“Amazing, I really didn’t think I’d win. I thought the other guys cheers were louder than mine. I was more than chuffed”
How do you feel about the final?
“Excited, the other finalists are strong, but I’m really looking forward to the competition”
What will you do with the money if you win?
“It might sound boring, but I’d put it towards a deposit for a house”
Name: Charlie Drummond
Age: 24
Occupation: Recruitment Consultant
Region: Bristol
Venue: OMG
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
“It’s just something that I’ve always wanted to do, so when I heard it was back I went and entered”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“I was really really happy. Bristol is a place that I’ve always loved and I’m so Happy to be representing them”
How do you feel about the final?
“Nervous really, but I’m hoping that I can get enough votes to get to the final three and then, who knows? Hopefully win it”
What will you do with the money if you win?
“Well I don’t know, I would have said a holiday, but I suppose if I’m going to Morocco…I don’t know. I’d lvoe to go to Australia, I’ve got some friends and family out there, so it would be great to see them again.”
Name: Daniel Hegarty
Age: 20
Occupation: Trainee Hairdresser
Region: Derry
Venue: Envy
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
I’ve never had the confidence – last year there was a Mr. Gay Derry competition but I didn’t feel I could go for it. But this year I thought why not…
How did you feel when you won the heat?
I was in shock, I hoped I would win but I didn’t know if I would. It’s really helped my confidence
How do you feel about the final?
I don’t know really, hopefully it should be ok
What will you do with the money if you win?
I’ll probably put it towards my career, help me to pay towards college fees
Name: Ashley Adams
Age: 26
Occupation: IT
Region: Birmingham
Venue: iHost
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing since I saw it on TV as a teenager. Then I saw that it had come back in a magazine, so I decided to enter”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“Surprised and excited at the same time. Everyone had something going for them. I’m really looking forward to representing Birmingham”
How do you feel about the final?
“I’m looking forward to the Challenge of getting the votes, and bringing Birmingham together. I’ve already started telling everyone that it’s back on and trying to round up support. Hopefully I’ll get to the final three”
What will you do with the money if you win
I’ll give my parents a well deserved break. They’ve always been really supportive of me through everything: from coming out, to relationships and even this competition”
Name: Nik Chapman
Age: 25
Occupation: Bar Manager
Region: Newcastle
Venue: Powerhouse
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
It was a challenge, I heard about it a couple of weeks before and I thought it was a good challenge to get myself into shape
How did you feel when you won the heat?
It might sound a bit cheesy, but I was a bit overwhelmed. It was done by cheering and having all those people cheering for me was really overwhelming, I was really happy.
How do you feel about the final?
I’m a bit nervous, I’d love to get into the final three
What will you do with the money if you win?
It’s really boring but my car’s in negative equity, so I’d really like to pay it off – it’s a nice car though, BMW
Name: Rafael Clarke
Age: 18
Occupation: Barman/Partner in Builders’ Firm
Region: Walsall
Venue: The Lion Bar
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
“Well, I didn’t even know about it, but I work at the club where it was happening and my colleagues told me about it, so I thought I’d give it a go”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“I was really shocked. All my friends said that my face lit up”
How do you feel about the final?
“I’m really nervous, but I’m quite excited about it too”
What will you do with the money if you win?
I’d probably spend it while I was in Morocco. Or I’d like to go on another holiday, to Acapulco, or Cancun
Name: John Wheeldon
Age: 28
Occupation: Sales
Region: Leeds
Venue: The Viaduct Showbar
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
“I’ve wanted to do it since I first came out a few years ago, and it’s the first time I’ve been single and been ready – and I thought at 28 it’s now or never really.”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“I didn’t really believe it at first. I thought they were joking; I think the nerves got the better of me. Then they gave me this bunch of flowers and I was just really happy.
How do you feel about the final?
“It’s just really nerve wracking isn’t it. I’m looking forward to getting all my family and friends and hopefully all of Leeds together. I like competition.”
What will you do with the money if you win?
“Well, I need to buy a new boiler first off. Then I’ll treat myself; I want to travel the world, so I might go away somewhere. I’ve always wanted to got to Thailand”
Name: Samuel Kneen
Age: 22
Occupation: Hairdresser
Region: Cardiff
Venue: Pulse
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
My friends persuaded me, and I thought it might help with my confidence. I’ve been going to the gym a lot for the past year.
How did you feel when you won the heat?
Ecstatic, I couldn’t believe it! It was a huge surge to my confidence, which I’ve had a bit of trouble with in the past
How do you feel about the final?
Very nervous. I hope people will vote for me. If they do I’ll be so appreciative. I just hope they can see my potential, and if I win I’ll do my best to work hard for them
What will you do with the money if you win?
Well I’ll pay off some of my debts, and give some to my dad, who’s helped me out a lot when I’ve had money troubles. My friend Craig works for Terrence Higgins Trust, so I think I’ll give them some money, and the rest I’ll put on a bond for a new flat I think. I would have maybe gone on holiday, but I suppose I’ve got the trip to Morocco if I win anyway. Oh I’ll take all my friends for a night out
Name: Tom Eaton
Age: 18
Region: Manchester
Occupation: Student
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
I was on a night out and actually was on my way home. Everyone was talking about it outside and then someone said they’d let me in for free if I entered so I thought, “why not?”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
I was mad! Absolutely crazy. One minute I was outside about to go home and the next, everyone was cheering and I won. It was one of the best feelings, I was completely mind blown
How do you feel about the final?
Really nervous, I’ve never done anything on this scale. I’ve never done a photo-shoot or anything either. I just don’t really know what to expect
What will you do with the money if you win?
Buy a car, a Vauxhall Astra. I’ve been a bit lazy about getting driving lessons but I’ll definitely will if I win.
Name: Scott McCaffrey
Age: 24
Region: Darlington
Occupation: Sales Advisor
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
It was all my friends really, they thought I would be in with a chance of winning. I’m just a normal guy really
How did you feel when you won the heat?
I was shocked. So shocked! I couldn’t even speak. People were screaming and chanting my name. It was the best feeling in the world
How do you feel about the final?
Well I think the whole thing is going to be a really good experience, but I’m really nervous about it.
What will you do with the money if you win?
Probably have a mini shopping spree I think. I’m a bit of a workaholic, so I think I’d take a holiday, maybe to Egypt. I like the sun and the heat.
Name: Jamie Lewis
Age: 21
Occupation: Sexual Health worker
Region: Hull
Venue: Fuel
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
Peer pressure mainly, mixed with alcohol. I was out celebrating a friend’s birthday and my friends said I should do it, so after a few more drinks I thought, “why not?”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
It was weird! It didn’t really kick in until the morning. Lots of people I didn’t even know kept coming over to congratulate me
How do you feel about the final?
I’m a bit nervous, it’s a bit out of my comfort zone if I’m honest
What will you do with the money if you win
Another holiday I think. Maybe to Gran Canaria, I’ve never been there before.
Name: Stephen Smith
Age: 23
Occupation: Student (Psychology)
Region: Dundee
Venue: Brooks Bar
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?:
“Well I’ve always wanted to do it, so when I heard that it had come back I thought I’d see how I would do.”
How did you feel when you won the heat?
“It was crazy. Mental! I was so happy and excited…I think I jumped on four people when I won”
How do you feel about the final?
I’m really nervous about it, but I’ll just give it my best shot”
What will you do with the money if you win
“Probably go shopping for the trip to Morocco and use it on the trip. If I’ve got some left, I want to buy a new computer”
Name: Stephen Barr
Age: 26
Region: Belfast
Occupation: Singer
What made you enter Mr Gay UK this year?
All my friends were pushing me to do it saying I would do great. I wasn’t going to enter, I was just going to watch, but a lot of the encouragement came from them.
How did you feel when you won the heat?
It felt great! I really wasn’t expecting to win at all! I didn’t even get topless and the crowd was going wild. I didn’t think I stood a chance with some of the other contestants.
How do you feel about the final?
I feel very nervous about the final, I just hope people will vote for me. There is a lot of talent taking part this year, I hope I can pull it off!
What will you do with the money if you win?
I will probably save it to go towards my singing career or for university. I want to broaden my opportunities for when I get older and have a nice career path
