INTERVIEW: Multi award winning LGBTQ Scottish recording artist Allan Jay on new Christmas single, musical theatre training, Jack and the Beanstalk and....tennis!
"Brighton. We need you. Help us beat Kylie to the Christmas Number 1!"
Ladies and gentleman, theys and thems, welcome to the Brighton & Hove residents' community corner series celebrating our city’s bold drag artists and boundary breaking performers! I wanted to create a series that goes beyond the glam with our legendary and local queer performers so we can all get to know them more because erm, why not?!
This week, we’re joined by multi award winning LGBTQ Scottish recording artist Allan Jay who has just released the highly anticipated Christmas Number 1 contender smash hit Feliz Navidad but more about that later!
If this is only the first interview of this centrestage series that you've stumbled across and you want to catch up on the others don't panic! You can catch up HERE and next week I'll be yakking with Dorset tart with a heart, Steph Von Clitz.
But today, it's all eyes on Allan Jay so let's dive in head first!
DALEYPOP: Hey Allan, how’s your day going so far then?!
ALLAN: It's going very well thank you. It's all nice and busy at the moment with lots of different things going on, new music, shows and gigs!
DALEYPOP: For our readers who haven’t yet had the joy of meeting you or seeing you perform yet, can you introduce yourself-and let us know your pronouns both on and off stage?
ALLAN: My name is Allan Jay, he/him both on and off stage and I'm all the way from Bonnie Scotland but I live in Brighton which has been a very special place to me for many years.
DALEYPOP: What are three words people would never use to describe you?
ALLAN: Ohhhh I like this question, you would most definitely never hear anyone use words like quiet, shy or subtle when describing me!
DALEYPOP: Thinking back, when did you realise music and performing weren’t just passions but truly your calling?
ALLAN: My wee gran (who was one of my biggest supporters) would always say I was born singing and dancing. Any opportunity I was there giving a little song and dance in front of the family.
I can't really remember a time of not wanting to perform and be onstage.
I remember being onstage at 6 years old where I had one line to say that I think I rehearsed it every day for weeks. I was 16 when I went to college to train in musical theatre.
I've always known that I wanted to perform as my career and there wasn't anything else I wanted to do. I feel so lucky to have trained in what I'm passionate about and make a loving out of it. To do what you love to make a living really is a fortune position to be in.
DALEYPOP: It really is! I enjoyed your Club Tropicana cover this year by the way, the production and video were fab! Can we look forward to more music and visuals in 2026?
ALLAN: It's lovely to hear that, thank you Dale and absolutely! Myself , my management Karpow Entertainment and my record label SP Music have some plans and I've been sent a few original tracks. I obviously love to release both original tracks and covers so we have lots of plans for 2026.
DALEYPOP: Eurovision. Have you ever applied or have you ever been tempted?!
ALLAN: I absolutely LOVE Eurovision and it's my dream to perform at it. Something a few of my friends have actually done. I have been submitted both for the UK and other countries on more than one occasion. I may even have something in the pipeline at the moment but that would be telling! I am so lucky with the record labels and producers I work with though, I get to work with some amazing writers.
I love everything about Eurovision and it would be a dream come true to be representing there one day.
There hasn't been a Scottish performer representing the UK since 1988. It was a man named Scott Fitzgerald with a song called Go and he was runner up to none other than Celine Dion. So if any of the readers have contacts with the BBC then feel free to get me in the mix.
DALEYPOP: What does Pride mean to you?
ALLAN: Pride for me is a few things, being able to gather together and be yourself with others who are all there in an environment they can feel accepted. A day to enjoy the freedom to be who you are and a place to make sure we as the LGBTQ+ community are seen. Show that we are here and we matter and that we deserved to be accepted for who we are.
We have come a long way and even in my life so far the difference is big but there is a long way to go. Sadly there are still areas where just being yourself can make it a hard place to live.
Pride is still very needed and very important.
DALEYPOP: What’s the last thing you Googled? And be honest, there's no judgement here!
ALLAN: Well I'm afraid this might not be very exciting to the readers, but I'll be very honest....I love tennis! I was googling the ATP and WTA finals which is the top 8 women and top 8 men in the world compete in the end of year final. Not a glam as me usually googling outfits and makeup but there you go but it's the honest truth!
DALEYPOP: Crucial question: who’s your crush of the day?
ALLAN: Well I can't tell you the real crush in case he reads this! I mean I don't really stand a chance as he's married and has a lovely husband but it's nice to window shop. I'll tell you my celebrity crush though, (well actually there is two). I think Theo James is absolutely gorgeous and just seems the most lovely man in every interview.
Also I just have to say it Jonathan Bailey, I know so many will say that but he has been on so many things lately with interviews etc and he just so handsome and just comes across as the most lovely and fun guy. I'd love to have a cheeky date with him.
DALEYPOP: Omg honestly same here. If Jonathan Bailey asked me out I'd be ready in 0.3 seconds and that includes travel time, and he lives in Hove! Anywaaaaay erm do you have one song that you have on repeat right now?
ALLAN: I have to say I don't just have one song at the moment. I love getting my (Amazon) Alexa to mix things up with a bit of Girls Aloud, Kylie Minogue, Danni Minogue, Cher, Kelly Clarkson and all the girls giving me the tunes.
DALEYPOP: Where’s your favourite spot to grab food in Brighton right now, any go‑to places you’re loving?
ALLAN: I'll be honest I haven't been out for a meal in a while, it's all been very busy but I am a pizza lover I have to say but I have loved (I'm veggie) YouMeSushi on North Street, it's always so fresh and tasty.
DALEYPOP: What’s your star sign, and do you think it fits you?
ALLAN: I'm a Pisces and I would say there are a lot of traits that definitely suit me. I used to be very into star signs and I still like reading about mine and what's to come, I think our star signs say a lot about us.
DALEYPOP: And finally….where can our readers catch you next? Any shows or big events we should be shouting about?
ALLAN: It’s a busy time of year, but I’m thrilled to share my new Christmas single with the fabulous Alfie Ordinary and Ophelia Payne, produced by world-renowned Dutch producer Matt Pop. We’ve reimagined José Feliciano’s 1970 classic Feliz Navidad into a gloriously chaotic and irresistibly camp festive anthem! It's camp with a capital C! Brighton. We need you. Help us beat Kylie to the Christmas Number 1!
Also I'm performing at the DoubleTree by Hilton Brighton Metropole in this year's family panto Jack and the Beanstalk as Silly Billy.
See what I'm doing next by visiting my website (HERE) or keeping up with me on socials!
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