'Be loud, be proud' Cardiff drag queen Dr Bev reveals what Pride means to her

Credit: ITV Wales

Rob Keetch from the Rhondda is to many, better known by another name, Dr Bev.

He is one of Cardiff's most well-known drag queens and helped organise the first ever Mardi Gras in Cardiff and developed it into Pride Cymru.

For the past two years, the Pinc List has recognised Rob as one of the most influential LGBT+ people in Wales.

When Rob transforms into Dr Bev, he puts on three pairs of tights, padding, three inches of makeup, a heavy wig and often a heavy sequin dress.

The makeup stage of Rob's transformation into Dr Bev. Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

When Rob first started performing as Dr Bev, he said he did not expect it to be something he would do for long but he quickly changed his mind.

Credit: Dr Bev

Rob first came out as a gay man in Cardiff when he was 19. He said at the time would go to clubs where you would have to give a password to get in and be "shuffled away backstage downstairs out of the way where nobody could see us". Now, he said people are becoming more open.

RuPaul's Drag Race is a popular TV programme which will soon come to the UK. Credit: PA

Rob said the TV programme RuPaul's Drag Race has been "fantastic for drag careers".

The show has had 11 seasons in America and soon will have its first one filmed in the UK. One of the contestants, The Vivienne, is from Wales.

Credit: ITV Cymru Wales

Rob said some of his proudest moments have been at Cardiff Pride. And to him, Pride is about being with family and friends.