La Rue suffers stroke
Exclusive: Danny La Rue, one of Britain’s greatest entertainers, has suffered a stroke forcing him to cancel all engagements for six months.
Danny La Rue at The Stage's New Year Party in 2003 Photo: Doug McKenzie
The legendary drag star, 78, recently returned from Spain and collapsed after feeling unwell. He was taken to hospital in Southampton where doctors diagnosed a stroke.
At the height of his fame in the seventies and eighties La Rue was the most famous female impersonator in the world. Credited as being the ‘man who made drag respectable’ he was the highest paid entertainer in Britain and commanded a huge army of loyal female fans.
On stage he wore fantastically elaborate and expensive gowns and sent up icons such as Marlene Deitrich, Diana Dors and Miss World.
“Women love me,” he said. “I don’t degrade them. Sleazy impersonators get their laughs by having people laugh at them. I do the reverse. I love laughter, glitter and glamour.”
La Rue had a natural rapport with audiences and they flocked to his shows. His West End revues were always sell-outs packed with coach parties and he was the most glamorous of all pantomime Dames.
Success brought him huge wealth - a top London nightclub, three houses and a hotel but in 1983 he was the victim of a financial scam and lost his entire fortune. Unembitttered he said: “They can take away my money - but they can’t take my talent.”
Feted and honoured by showbusiness La Rue was a Royal Family favourite and appeared in three Royal Variety Shows. In recent years he had been touring the UK in music hall and variety shows and was due to appear at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham in June in a production of Entertaining Mr Sloane.
Spokesperson Pat Lake-Smith said: “Danny has had a stroke but without the paralysis. He has been ordered by his doctors to rest completely. He has great inner strength and is deeply grateful for all the kindness that has been shown to him at this difficult time.”
La Rue always claimed he would never retire: “I want to die backstage,” he said in 2005. “And when I’m gone I want my boobs dipped in gold.”
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