Drag queen hanging up her stilettos after 30 years

DJ Zoe said they had been "absolutely made up by the outpouring of love" from fans

One of Blackpool's most famous drag queens has decided to hang up her stilettos and retire.

DJ Zoe has been the hostess on stage at Funny Girls for 30 years.

Zoe, also known as Adrian Thornton, was there on the opening night in 1994 and said it was "just like going into your nan's lounge but with a fabulous cabaret show on".

"It's been one of the best jobs in the world," he said. "To be a part of something that's such a big thing for Blackpool and beyond."

DJ Zoe has been the hostess on stage at Funny Girls for 30 years

He said: "I just feel now's the time, I wanted to get that 30th anniversary under my belt, which I did last year, and now it's time for me and my husband.

"I don't really know what I'm going to do, she couldn't go on forever, but there is still life in the old dog yet, so she's just having a rest for now, I'm just gong to hang those sparkly shoes up for a few months and then see where life takes us."

He said he had been "overwhelmed" and "absolutely made up by the outpouring of love" from fans and supporters, since he announced Zoe would be retiring.

"I know Zoe's popular, but she's also been a bit of a one in her time with her acid tongue," he said.

"But I never though for a moment it was going to be 30 years.

"I was in my early thirties then and now, in my early sixties, I never though for a minute and a day I would be doing drag at this age.

"I've been on Strictly, the Weakest Link, the Royal Variety performance, so what other job would I have got all these chances?"

Basil Newby opened Funny Girls on the corner of Queen Street in 1994.

It later moved to the former Odeon building on Dickson Road in 2002.

He said Zoe's retirement was a "big loss" and he was "really sad" to see her go.