CityLife

Steps stars drop out of Mardi Gras running

WITH just a fortnight to go until Manchester's biggest gay festival, Mardi Gras, hits the streets it's already handbags at dawn. But this time the bickering isn't between our own city council foes.

Instead, the huffing and puffing has been prompted by the actions of a regional rival. For I hear top Birmingham gay club, The Nightingale, has organisers of Manchester's August bank holiday event decidedly miffed, after allegedly filching their pop act of choice from right beneath their noses.

It seems pink favourites H and Claire, formerly of chart-toppers Steps, have been booked by the Brummie bar to headline a special line-up over the same weekend as Mardis Gras - when our city's festival chiefs had hoped to sign the pair first.

And, to top it all, The Nightingale has also adopted the temporary title Treat Up Your Street, which Mardis Gras chairman John Hamilton claims is a direct reference to the Treat In The Street events held at Granada Studios during past Mancunian festivals.

"Nightingale is clearly attempting to steal a march on Manchester by doing this," Hamilton fumes.

"We understand that all Gay Pride festivals can be affected by events in other cities but Birmingham has had its annual Pride. August Bank Holiday belongs to Manchester Mardi Gras. As for the name, well, if people can't come up with original ideas then that's their problem."

But Nightingale events man, Upton Clue, is brushing off the blows. "We are not attempting to hijack Manchester's event in any way," he sighs. "Bank Holiday weekends are important for the financial stability of any nightclub so it's important that we host high profile events."