La Rue’s role in service at parish church
Date published: 02 June 2009
Danny La Rue, the world famous drag artist who died on Sunday, once took part in an Oldham Parish Church service.
Famous for his glamorous female alter ego, he was the first drag artist to preach at the parish church when he took part in a new-look service for Oldham Repertory Theatre in 1973.
He also took part in a face-to-face interview as part of the service, conducted by the vicar, the Rev James Bentley.
Ten years later he was back in Oldham, then aged 55, with two shows at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, before his last local appearance at the Tameside Hippodrome in 1997.
The entertainer’s take on glamorous leading ladies like Marlene Dietrich and Zsa Zsa Gabor made him a British showbusiness institution.
He was appointed an OBE in 2002, and performed more than 30 times at royal shows at Buckingham Palace.
He was the first female impersonator to appear at the Royal Variety Performance before the Queen.
La Rue was named Theatre Personality of the Year in 1970 and Entertainer of the Decade in 1979.
The legendary female impersonator, who was 81, had been suffering from cancer and died in his sleep after a short illness.
His spokeswoman said: “His beloved companion, Annie Galbraith, was with him at their home in Kent.”
