By day he is an assistant in a care home but when the wig goes on, the make-up's applied and the fabulous frocks brought out Simon Merry becomes drag artist Pricilla. He loves every minute of it – 'and she can get away with murder', he says
SHE'S rude, blunt and brazen – but Simon Merry is nothing like his alter ego, drag artist Pricilla.
"I feel like I'm a different person when I'm Pricilla. It's a mask, a new identity," he said. "My inhibitions just fly away and I can flirt with people and have a laugh and a joke. I'm not half as bad as I am when I'm Pricilla."
He's got a big heart, too, exemplified by his plans to use the Pricilla persona to help raise funds for "Help For Heroes" with a variety night. The charity became close to Simon's heart after one of his friends was seriously injured in battle, losing a leg.
"I was in tears when he told me what had happened," said Simon. "But he was just so brave about it.
"I would like to do something to raise some money for the cause if only to show that we as a country and as a people support them."
Anyone who would like to be included in the line-up at a variety evening or would like to discuss the plans can contact Simon through the Echo.
Forty-year-old Simon has been performing as a drag artist for 15 years in pubs and clubs all over the country. He is a favourite at the Black Bull in the town centre and at bars in Huddersfield and Bradford.
"Pricilla gets away with murder," he said. She is rude and as politically incorrect as it's possible to be but the punters lap it up especially when one of their mates comes in for a bit of stick.
"I don't set out to offend people and if I feel I have I will go and speak to them and reassure them that it is nothing personal.