A SASSY drag queen has made it through to the final of the first ever UK charity drag pageant.

By day, Ben Tye, who has just moved from Colchester to Harwich, is a holiday park entertainer.

However, when the 22-year-old is not working, he is glamming up to become Amber Dextris - a confident and outspoken queen.

Ben, who now lives with his partner Jay Muzzell, is in the running for Miss Drag UK.

He said: “I knew nothing about it initially, I just posted a picture of myself in drag on Instagram and the organisers sent me a message and asked me to apply.

“I had to send a two-minute video in. I have got to show a high fashion look and an evening gown look.

“There are three crowns up for grabs.”

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

It was only two years ago when Ben was first aware of his passion for drag.

He was inspired by RuPaul’s Drag Race, an American TV series which allows drag queens to compete for a grand prize.

He said: “It was about two years ago when I got the idea and bought a cheap wig and some make-up.

“It was only on my 21st birthday I properly got into it.

“When I started it my mum had no choice but to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race with me and she got really into it.

“All my friends think it’s really cool as well.”

Ben started off dressing up in his bedroom, but last year took the plunge and went on a night out in drag.

He said: “I pushed myself by going out in drag in Chelmsford for my 21st birthday, I just took that jump and now I have been messaging pubs for gigs to get out there a bit more.”

His drag name - Amber Dextris - was given to him by a drag queen at Drag World - Europe’s largest celebration of drag.

He said: “I have big hair and I’m quite sassy when I have got the wig on, I completely change.

“Normally I’m quite shy and reserved but when I’m in drag it’s just like ‘I’m here!’.

“I had stuck to red hair but my mum bought me a pink wig for my birthday and my dad got me a blue one, so I’m experimenting with looks at the moment.”

His first gig will be at the Royal Oak Inn in Harwich, on Saturday.

Ben added: “It gives me a lot of confidence being in drag, I can just get away with stuff you wouldn’t get away with in everyday life.

“I just speak my mind.”

The pageant in Folkestone will be held on March 10, in aid of the SANDS charity.