Funeral for 'Britain's oldest drag queen'

A large funeral procession has taken place in Brighton paying tribute to a performer labelled Britain's oldest drag queen.

David Raven, known by the alter ego Maisie Trollette, was described by mourners as a "pioneer of the drag and gay scene".

Mr Raven, who performed as Ms Trollette, at the first Brighton Pride in 1973, died last month aged 91.

More than 100 people followed a procession this morning from Legends Bar to St Mary's Church in Kemptown.

Jonathan Harrison said he saw Ms Trollette many times and said she was a "pioneer of the drag and gay scene".

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "A lot of the young gay people and middle-aged gay people really are standing on the shoulders of Maisie Trollette. When Maisie started it was all illegal so we have a lot to respect her for."

Born in 1933, Mr Raven started his long and celebrated drag career as part of the Trollettes double act, alongside Jimmy Court.

He first began performing in the 1960s while working as a grocer at Selfridges in London but kept his alter ego under wraps.

He said: "I was recognised once by a man who said to me 'Didn't I see you doing cabaret last night?' I told him he must be mistaken because I was a grocer."

Ms Trollette made public appearances well into her 80s.

Michael Purcell-Cross said he had known Mr Raven since he was 18, first seeing him perform at a restaurant called Fudges on Brighton seafront.

"He got us all together, the gay community and all walks of life throughout his career," he said.

"He was the glue that got us all together. He would never be negative on a night out and would include everyone."

Steve Bradbury, who was also in the funeral procession, said: "Maisie was a great drag performer but also a big part of the community and gave a lot back in terms of charity performances, particularly during the Aids crisis."

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