Following his initial foray into the entertainment industry, he was disheartened by the meager compensation of approximately £7 per week and subsequently transitioned into the rag trade. However, a close friend later extended an invitation for him to make a two-week appearance at a theatre, serving as a crucial lifeline during a period of financial instability.
During this stint, he discovered an unexpected aptitude for female impersonation, and this newfound talent ultimately paved the way for his future endeavors. As his reputation grew, he went on to open his own nightclub, situated conveniently near the West End, which even drew the attention of esteemed royalty.
Whenever he was performing in a West End production or at a nearby theatre, he would obligingly participate in the usual Saturday double-bill, before being chauffeured to his nightclub for an additional performance. Throughout his career, he never failed to subtly acknowledge his true identity beneath the elaborate costumes and makeup, often doing so by taking the microphone on his initial stage appearance and, in a deep, masculine voice, exclaiming, "What's up, Mates!"
