Some of the world's most loved queens will be coming to Leeds this Christmas for a special festive show featuring the stars of Ru Paul's Drag Race, it has been revealed.
Stars from the hit UK show, including The Vivienne and BagaChipz, will be turning up in Leeds for one night only for the Christmas Xtravaganza at 02 Academy Leeds.
Taking place on Monday 13 December, the show promises to bring all the high energy, drama and glamour or the hit TV show to Leeds this Christmas - featuring a host of stars from RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Canada, and the US series.
RuPaul's Drag Race winner THE Vivienne performing at Manchester Pride this summer / Image: The Vivienne
So far, as well as the UK favourites BagaChipz and The Vivienne, it has also been revealed that Ginny Lemon, Latrice Royale, Olivia Lux, and Priyanka will be taking part in the run of shows - which will cover the breadth of the UK and Ireland.
And on top of that, there are six more queens on the line-up still to be revealed.
As well as stopping off in Leeds, the Drag Race stars will also be landing in Plymouth, Bristol, Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Cardiff, Southampton, Manchester, Norwich, Sheffield, Colchester, Newcastle, Stockton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin and Belfast between 27 November and 2 December 2021.
The show is coming to Leeds' O2 Academy this December / Image: Viagogo
The Leeds 02 Academy is billing the show as: "Christmas production, drag market and so much more. Shantay, You Sleigh! On O2?"
Tickets will go on general sale at 9 am on Friday, 1 October.
The full list of tour dates is listed below:
Saturday 27 November 2021 - DUBLIN Olympia Theatre Monday 29 November 2021 - BELFAST Waterfront Hall Wednesday 1 December 2021 - PLYMOUTH Pavilions Friday 3 December 2021 - BRISTOL Marble Factory Saturday 5 December2021 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City Sunday 5 December 2021 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham Tuesday 7 December 2021 - LIVERPOOL Eventim Olympia Wednesday 8 December 2021 - LONDON Eventim Apollo Friday 10 December 2021 - CARDIFF University Great Hall Saturday 11 December 2021 - SOUTHAMPTON City Hall Oval Monday 13 December 2021 - LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds Tuesday 14 December 2021 - MANCHESTER TBC Thursday 16 December 2021 - NORWICH UEA Friday 17 December 2021 - SHEFFIELD O2 Guildhall Saturday 18 December 2021 - COLCHESTER Charter Hall Sunday 19 December 2021 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall Tuesday 21 December 2021 - STOCKTON TBC Wednesday 22 December 2021 - EDINBURGH TBC Thursday 23 December 2021 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Expect live music, a load of craic and plenty of Guinness at Leeds' brand-new bar.
Opening on Leeds' bustling Merrion Street, 'Love, Jackie' is the latest concept from the team behind Roxy Ball Room and King Pins.
Love, Jackie will be taking over a 7,000 sq ft space,and will be promising proper prints, late nights and plenty of Irish charm.
Pouring will be the holy trinity of Irish stouts - Guinness, Beamish and Murphy's.
Image: Supplied
These will be served alongside Leeds' own Kirkstall Virtuous IPA and a vast whiskey selection that celebrates the best of Ireland.
Games wise, try your hand at crazy pool, interactive darts, shuffleboard and karaoke. There will also be live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The opening comes as Merrion Street enjoys a new wave of investment and hospitality openings, helping bring new life to one of Leeds' best known night life attractions.
Image: Supplied
Matt Jones, CEO of Professionals at Play, said: “Everyone knows a Jackie. She’s the one who gets everyone together, convinces you to stay for another and makes sure there’s never a dull moment.
“We wanted to create a pub with that same personality. Somewhere with brilliant drinks, live music, plenty of games and the kind of atmosphere that makes you forget you were only popping in for one.
“Merrion Street is coming back to life, and we’re excited to be part of its next chapter. We think Jackie will fit right in. And because Jackie’s never been one to turn up empty-handed, the first drink’s on her."
We'll keep you updated on opening times as and when we find out, but for now you can sign up here for a pint of free Guinness. Cheers to that!
Leeds City Council granted £1.6m to tackle rough sleeping by Christmas
Clementine Hall
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
Georgina Pellant -
30th September 2021 
