Remembering drag scene 'pioneer' Foo Foo Lammar

Friends and former colleagues of influential drag artist Frank Pearson have been remembering the man perhaps better known as Foo Foo Lammar.

The flamboyant character has been described as a true Manchester "icon", one of the north-west of England's best loved acts, and an inspiration to generations of drag artists.

Although the club owner died in 2003, aged 65, his legacy lives on more than two decades later.

He was "groundbreaking" and "copied so many times", said broadcaster Mike Sweeney. RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo, who has delved into Foo Foo Lammar's legacy, said she was a "massive inspiration", particularly due to her "old school glamour" and extensive charity work.

Kevin Hinde, who created Foo Foo's eye-catching costumes, told BBC Radio Manchester he still misses him.

"He was a very good friend. He was a true gent."

Hinde said: "He wanted big sleeves. Everything had to be big."

He said Pearson could often be seen driving around Manchester in his Rolls Royce, which had the registration Foo 1.

The dressmaker said Mr Pearson got on with people from all walks of life, from footballers and TV stars to club-goers.

Hinde said: "He took everyone at their own worth."

He said Pearson always stopped to look at his alter-ego on a mural alongside Emmeline Pankhurst, Quentin Crisp and Alan Turing on the side of the Molly House pub in Manchester.

"It reminds me of the time I first got to know him," he said.

Sweeney said: "Frank was the pioneer of the drag circuit.

"He was ground-breaking in his work, in his club and his act on stage, and was copied so many times."

De Campo said Foo Foo Lammar was an "icon" of Manchester.

The runner-up in RuPaul's Drag Race UK first season said: "[Frank] was such a massive part of the Manchester LGBTQ history, owning bars, running nightclubs, performing in shows and creating a space which was welcoming of everybody."

Pearson was born the son of a rag-and-bone man in Ancoats and left school with no qualifications before pursuing a career in showbusiness.

He worked on television, radio, and in the theatre with such as Danny La Rue. He also ran a number of clubs in Manchester, including Foo Foo's Palace.

He was also known for his charity fundraising efforts, particularly for The Christie hospital, and was believed to have raised about £4m for good causes.

Salford artist Jo Carlon painted a tribute to him.

Carlon said he put on a charity event when her father died in 1981 to raise funds for her mother, who was left with four children.

"I was 11 at the time," she said, adding he was a "lovely man" who had a "heart of gold".

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets for his funeral.

Stars including the-then Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, former England football captain Bryan Robson and actress Sue Johnson were among those who attended the service.

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