Denise Welch's DOI performances 'inspired by drag queens'

Denise Welch's 'Dancing on Ice' performances are inspired by drag queens.

The 'Loose Women' presenter admits she loves the glitz and glamour of female impersonators because her father used to be one, and she takes on some of his ideas when she hits the ice with partner Matt Evers.

Speaking at the launch of Priscilla Parties at the Woop Woop bar in London's Palace Theatre last night (24.01.11), Denise exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I love drag queens. I'm inspired by them! I've never felt so energised. Attitude magazine said the gayometer explodes when I'm around. My dad was a drag queen."

However, she is not the biggest fan of her father's drag act, claiming he was "sh*t".

She joked: "Everyone else grew up in McDonalds and I grew up in gay bars. I was that child. My dad was a sh*t drag act. He was a Welch so he used to go out as Raquel. He was shameless!"

Denise recently won the backing of her 'Loose Women' co-presenter Carol McGiffin, who thinks she could reach the final stages of the competition.

Carol said: "Denise is b****y brilliant. Her only problem is she thinks it's actually about the ice skating and it's not at all.

"It's 100 per cent a popularity contest and she's got a huge fanbase so she'll go far. She could go on the ice and just stand there and still get through."

Other stars to attend the 'Priscilla: Queen of the Desert' party included 'X Factor' singer Katie Waissel, Geri Halliwell and the cast of 'The Only Way is Essex'.

Visit www.PriscillaTix.com for more information about the new Priscilla Parties packages.