“They have porn star martinis on draught in there” declares a wide-eyed Callum Scott Howells of legendary drag bar The Glory, the riotous drag hotspot in east London’s Haggerston (or Faggerston, as per the high concentration of gays who live there). Unsurprisingly, there’s no such fabulousness juice on tap (“I’ll bring it back”) in his hometown of Treorchy in Wales (population 7,681), the actor tells Attitude over smoothies in a plush south London members’ bar. (“What’s acai?!” he asks aloud, with pure puppy energy, and a thick Welsh accent we hope he never loses).
The actor is recounting his introduction to London nightlife via his friendship with his co-stars in last year’s rabble-rousing TV hit, It’s a Sin, recently named the second-best Channel 4 TV show ever after Big Brother by the Guardian. “All the guys lived here, and I didn’t; I’d come up randomly from Wales for nights out for the weekend, or even just the night, and crash with them.”
The Pink Palace WhatsApp chat — Omari Douglas, Lydia West, Years and Years’ star Olly Alexander et al — is still popping.
“Big time,” replies Callum when asks if he considers the group his queer family. “We really love each other in real life. Omari and Lydia are like my brother and sister, I speak to them all the time. Olly’s so busy, [which means] I don’t see him as much as I’d like. But I speak to him when I can. We know we’ll all see each other again eventually.” He’s also in touch with the series’ guest star Neil Patrick”) and creator Russell T Davies. “I adore him. He’s the busiest man, with every show coming out ever, and still he finds time to reply to my random messages! He said after the show: ‘You’re part of the family now.’” He’s something of a father figure to TV talent, I suggest, like Elton John is to musicians.
