Robert Clothier is the chair of Pride in Brighton and Hove, which organises the annual festival celebrating gay culture.

Despite its setbacks, the event has gone ahead this year with the Pride parade through town from 11am from Madeira Drive today and the free spectacular in Preston Park from noon.

Robert’s alter-ego is the exquisite Lady James.

Is there a performer who made you think “I want to do that?”

I trained in musical theatre and between jobs decided to try my hand at something new. And so my drag persona Lady James was born. Seeing performers like Maisie Trollette, Phil Starr and Danny La Rue inspired me to don the frock and cram my size 11s into high heels.

I was actually lucky enough to perform at Danny’s 80th birthday celebrations and it was a great honour to meet him and shake his legendary hand!

Do you remember the first record you bought – what was it, and where did you buy it?

As a teenager I was always very embarrassed about my music choices. At a time when all my peers were buying Michael Jackson and Madonna I was hidden in the soundtracks aisle at Our Price hoping no one would see me poring over Elaine Paige’s latest album or the original cast recording of Evita.

Tell us about any guilty pleasures lurking in your CD or film collections – something you know is a bit naff but you can’t help yourself.

I have simply loads of naff recordings in my music collection ... (see above). I just never really got the pop thing. One of my main guilty pleasures is the fact that I somehow managed to collect the entire Musicals Collection. It was one of those monthly magazines that came with a CD and a free binder with part one. I still have all 75 CDs!

Do you have a favourite film?

When it comes to films I always sound so cliché gay man. I love Torch Song Trilogy and even made my parents sit through it soon after I came out. Not sure they completely appreciated it, but it helped me feel less isolated. Then of course there’s The Wizard Of Oz ... as a friend of Dorothy you just can’t beat it!

Is there a TV programme couldn’t you live without?

I seem to be addicted to two cartoons: The Simpsons and in more recent years, Family Guy. There is something about the un-PC nature of both that tickles me pink.

Do you have a favourite album?

Another embarrassing confession is my love of Jane McDonald. I’d love her career, swanning about in sequins and singing (oh, hang on a minute... that’s what I do!). I have most of her albums, and when I am stuck for a new song to learn for Lady James’s act I stick her in the CD player and pick one. If she can sing them, so can I!

And what about a favourite book?

There have been so many. I adore reading and mourn the fact I do not give it enough time. I’ll read anything from chick-lit to historical dramas.

Is there a live music or theatre experience that stays in your memory?

Pride in Brighton and Hove is fast approaching and beside my role as chair I also have the honour of organising the cabaret tent. This will be my third year as hostess but I know that once again the experience will become an amazing memory. There is nothing quite so unforgettable as a 2,000-strong crowd cheering and celebrating LGBT lifestyles here in Brighton and Hove.

It must have been a tough journey this year – what do you think the city would have lost if it hadn’t have gone ahead?

It would have been a great shame to see Pride in Brighton and Hove disappear. It has been a difficult year but all is now set and it’s going to be the best yet. Pride here remains a free event, allowing all to attend and express themselves and their sexual and/or gender identities freely. But please don’t forget that it is far from free to put on so please, if you are attending Pride, and you can afford it – donate generously!

Is there something in particular you’re looking forward to?

There are any highlights from every Pride but you simply cannot miss the Parade (leaving the Palace Pier at 11am) as our message remains as strong and relevant as it always has – that discrimination against LGBT people will not be tolerated.

And will you perform as your alter ego?

Lady James will certainly be putting in an appearance – I’m announcing the Parade entries as they leave the seafront and will also be kicking up my heels in the Cabaret Tent at Preston Park from 2pm. See you there!