Richard Newman

About me:

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~ Richard Newman ~

Big Brothers Gay Canadian Cowboy, Radio Presenter, DJ & Writer

Born in the UK Richard emigrated with his family to the Canadian rocky mountain province of Alberta when he was a small child. Like all little boys with a fondness of glamour, he grew up dancing to Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Cyndi Lauper. Dreams of bright lights and big cities were always on his mind. As a teen he attended the renowned Victoria School of Performing & Visual Arts, focusing his studies on Art History, Drama and French. Shortly after, Richard attended NAIT (The Northern Alberta Institute Of Technology) where he successfully completed a two year diploma course in Radio & Television Arts. His career in Radio then followed with his first job as a script writer and traffic co-ordinator at the CKUA Radio Network. Restless, tired, and with ambitions to travel and explore the world, he made a move to London in January 1997. After numerous trips to Europe, stays in Paris and Ibiza, Richard soon found himself back in London with accumulating debts. Determined to make a go in London and reluctant to return to Canada he took a waitering job at Planet Hollywood in Leicester Square. The restaurant was in it's heyday and Richard worked it's floors waiting on some top Hollywood stars. At one stage even spilling a soda water on George Clooney. Richard was however destined for greater things and soon left his position at Planet Hollywood for more visits to Paris and Ibiza. He returned again to London this time to take a feature writing course at the London School of Publishing before settling into a job in the publishing industry. Not suited for a 9 to 5 office job, a restless Richard soon found himself back on the move, and back working in restaurants. What he wanted was to shake his life up. So he decided to attend an audition.

~ Big Brother ~

Then, In the summer of 2006, Channel 4 thrust the gay Canadian into the living rooms of Great Britain on the seventh series of Big Brother. On launch night Richard steeped out of a blacked out car wearing a white vest, cowboy boots, a stetson, satin elbow glove, and a diamonte bracelet. A cross between Brokeback Mountain and Audrey Hepburns turn in Breakfast At Tiffany's. He then entered the most famous house in Britain. Richard holds the record for the most escaped evictions - a whopping 6 times! He even ended up in the final, placing 4th. After 93 days of living in the Big Brother House Richard emerged as one of the shows top stars.

~ Appearances ~

Numerous TV appearances followed - Richard vogued with comic legend Russell Brand, was interviewed by British talk show icons Richard & Judy, and even made a cameo appearance as himself on The Charlotte Church Show. In September 2006 he hosted the Mr. GAY UK competition in Blackpool, and crowned Mark Carter the winner. Richard's ability to host, and his natural stage presence caught the attention of the organizers of another competition - a beauty pageant of a very different kind. The International Queen Of Nations beauty pageant for Transexuals. Richard has so far crowned winners two years running. Richard got into bed with the world's biggest gay porn star, and author, Aiden Shaw to interview him for BOYZ magazine. He has appeared on numerous covers for BOYZ, and also contributes to the magazine as a writer on a regular basis. Richard has also featured in many other well known gay publications - QX Magazine - Attitude - bent - Out in the city - Gscene - G3 Magazine - Proud - PREF (France) and Gay Calgary (Canada), to name a few. He has worked closely with Stonewall attending many of their fundraising events, and he continues to make appearances, and host, many Pride events up and down the UK and Ireland - most recently taking to the stage with Sir Ian McKellan to host London Pride in Trafalgar Square.

~ Gaydar Radio ~

Richard spent two years at Gaydar Radio where he presented two shows on the global internet station. He fronted his own show, The Saturday Morning Show and co-hosted The Dicky & Dolly Show every Sunday morning with fellow Big Brother housemate Lea Walker. Richard's many interview subjects over the years included such luminaries as Alan Carr, Samantha Fox, Alison Moyet, Kim Wilde, Carol Decker, Immodesty Blaize, Gail Porter, The Puppini Sisters, Margarita Pracatan, Russell Grant, Victoria Wilson James (Soul II Soul), Luciana (Bodyrox) and Russian Pop sensation Sergy - Just to name a few. He even got to grips with some very hunky Gay Amateur Wrestlers, and gay rapper Q-Boy. During his time at Gaydar Radio the station went on to win a prestigious Sony Radio Award for Digital Station of the year in 2007. The station was again nominated in 2008. Along with Gaydar Radio Richard also collected an Arqiva Award in 2007, and again in 2008 for Digital Station of the year.

~ Photography ~

When it comes to his photographic portfolio - Richard has always worked with photographers, make-up artists, and styling teams of his choice. He thrives on reinvention. His images blur the boundaries between painting and photography, with playful gestures of romance and sexuality. In his photographic work Richard has been a cowboy and sailor - army officer and burlesque showman - and film legends from the silent screen. Richard's first magazine cover was shot by Magnus Hastings for BOYZ magazine. Magnus placed Richard on a silver sequin backdrop wearing his trademark straw cowboy hat and holding a pistol. An image of him that is easily as Iconic as his Big Brother publicity shot. Richard carried his cowboy theme with him on to his next shoot with Paul Schnaars when they shot against the rainbow colored, graffiti stained walls of London's Brick Lane. This collaboration would also be the first time Richard worked with make-up artist Kelly Nash who he worked with on many other shoots and continues to work with today. Richard then captured the romance of 1940's London with the help of Natalie J Watts, make-up artist Bea Sweet and some very imaginative corsetry by Velda Lauder. Richard then worked on features and covers with Chris Jepson and Sam Scott-Hunter. With photographer Gemma Betts he grabbed another BOYZ cover with his accomplice Lea. Make-up artist Kelly Nash was once again drafted in to add a touch of elegance, and couture designs were provided by legendary fetish designer Robin Archer of House Of Harlot. Robin's designs have been commissioned for the catwalk by French couture houses - Thierry Mugler, Christain Dior, Louis Vuitton and John Galliano and worn famously by Christina Aguilera for the cover of Rolling Stone and Beyonce's 2007 "Green Light" music video and finally Richard and Lea as Dicky & Dolly. More magazine covers and features followed, the April 2008 cover of Gscene with Sean Chapman as chief make-up artist, and male corsetry provided by Brighton based Valkyrie Corsets. Richard would then go on to work with one of the fashion industries best kept secrets - Gozra. Known as the maestro of distortion Gozra isn't just a photographer, he is an artist. Gozra was able to take Richard in a completely different direction, producing an image that was reminiscent of something Grace Jones would have posed for. This takes Richard to his latest reinvention. The current images you see on his Myspace. Photographed by the inspirational Georgina Bolton King in his flat - wearing a Philip Treacy hat and simple black vest. Here, Richard takes you back to the age of silent film.

~ The Dj ~

Richard will be next DJing at

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For all DJ bookings and general TV/Radio enquiries please Email: Richardnewman@live.com
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Read Richard's Blog at http://richardnewmansays.blogspot.com/
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