on the scene
from October 2007

It was a home triumph at the grand final of Mr Gay UK 2007 at the Flamingo club in Blackpool last month when 19 year-old Daniel Broughton (pictured, right) took over the title from Yorkshire’s Mark Carter (pictured, far right).

He appeared on stage in a cute cowboy costume and won roars of approval from the hundreds of revellers who’d turned out to see the 22 finalists from throughout the UK strut their stuff.

Earlier in the evening Broughton had been hotly favoured by a BBC judging panel including Michael Aspel and a former Miss World judge, on BBC1’s The One Show, broadcast live from Blackpool.

Celebrity couple Michelle and Andy Scott-Lee were the hosts, The Sheilas were the star turn and the celebrity judges included Shabaz from Big Brother, Hollyoaks star James Sutton and Soapstar Superstar’s Leon Lopez. Leeds Rhino Lee Smith and his girlfriend Verity Rushworth, the Emmerdale actress, were judges too.

Yorkshire’s very own Mark Carter handed over the crown to the new winner, and told Shout!: 'I have thoroughly enjoyed my year as Mr Gay UK. I hope I have shown the gay community that they can be out and proud no matter what their occupation. Despite handing over my crown I will continue to represent the gay community and endeavour to help them in any way I can. I will meet Jackson Neto, Mr Gay Europe again in January when we go head to head in the fight for the Mr Gay International 2008 title. Both of us will travel to the contest which is to be held in Hollywood, Los Angeles.’

Carter added: 'I want to express my sincere thanks to the people who have shown their support since I won the title last September. The letters emails and messages I have received have been fantastic. I also want to thank West Yorkshire Police for allowing me to continue in the contest and show the public that times are changing for the better…’

Whilst he’s mixed with the rich and famous over the past twelve months he has never forgot his roots and has always been ready to provide an interview or two for Shout! Good luck for your future!