Busy times at The Reindeer Arms

Not sure if Bertha the cleaner is thinking what’s all the fuss about or thinking keep your hands off my fella.

She certainly has some competition if it’s the latter.

Jason Sutton aka Miss Jason

It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the death of Jason Sutton, one of the most iconic and much loved members of the UK’s LGBTQ+ community and star of the drag scene.

Jason was an extraordinary man, sharp witted, intelligent but above all caring. His spontaneous humour, seldom scripted, would have audiences in stitches, his ability to belt out a song could reduce them to tears.

He undertook a gruelling schedule of live performances that took him across the UK and beyond and was never happier than when, as his alter ego Miss Jason, he was making people laugh.

But laughter was just the tip of the iceberg with Jason. He had been an active politician in his early days and his commitment to issues, especially those concerning the gay community, had remained strong.

His work as a drag artist had also led to work as a straight actor, straight perhaps not being the best use of the word here. He had performed in productions of Privates on Parade, The Boys in The Band, Twinkle and most recently in Morning Glory which he took to the Edinburgh Fringe.

His own TV series for Latest TV, Miss Jason’s Gadabout, was a huge and popular success and over the years he had starred as dame in many pantomimes, most recently and to great acclaim in the Brighton Family Panto Cinderella.

Jason had only recently taken on the role of Patron for the Sussex Beacon here in Brighton, again showing his deep commitment to things beyond the world of entertainment.

To say that he will be missed is sadly understating the loss that we, his friends and colleagues will be feeling right now and for many years to come.

My deep felt condolences to his partner Terry and to his family and innumerable close friends.

Eurovision Song Contest 2024

I send my warmest best wishes to all contests in the final of tonight’s Eurovision Song contest in Malmo Sweden.

This is the 68th contest, I have no doubt it will be as cheesy as every but there is usually one or two that we all like, I particularly like the UK entry by Olly Alexander titled Dizzy.