Ray Millington drag names include Kandy Lee, Kandy de Barry and latterly Bobby Mandrell. Prior to performing Bobby grew up on Hessle Road to a family who where keen entertainers – his dad played piano and his mum danced. He left school at 16, married at 18 and then came out at 19. He worked several jobs before becoming a steward on North Sea ferries and while aboard began performing. 1973 saw him do drag in Vauxhall Pub wearing his mums outfits while home on leave. He went on to perform regularly for 53 years and is often cited by other drag acts and audiences as a legend! He is particularly known for his powerful rendition of Charles Aznavour’s song What makes a man. Where, as a finale and in front of the audience, he removes his outfit and make up and returns to an outfit of traditional male clothing.
Ray ran the St Georges pub for 5 years and showcased many drag acts, many who came from across the country to perform at this legendary venue. Ray retired in 2026 and held his last performance at Willows Club. Hull.
When I first started doing it. You know. All those years ago, I mean 1973 I think I started doing the shows. And it was hard. It was really really hard. It was hard to be gay. You know we very very rarely went out. On dark nights I didn’t like to go out on dark nights. I’ve been threatened, I’ve been beaten up and I’ve had me noes broken twice. I’ve had takeaway food thrown at me. I couldn’t sing and the only way I could think of to entertain was doing the drag. And it just seemed to be right, you know. It was, it was right. I mean, I’ve had some strange looks by people in the pubs. And I’ve been threatened by some women for talking to their husbands… At the George I was in drag 6 days a week! It was packed, people loved it.
Click on the red arrow to hear Bobby’s Oral History.
