Blackpool drag queen hangs up high heels after being selected as a Conservative candidate

William Coughlin – also known by his stage name of Kitty Litter – said he will run for a seat on Blackpool Council in May.

Mr Coughlin, who performs as an adult comic at Kitty’s Show Bar in Dickson Road, Blackpool, will start on the campaign trail this week.

And the 48-year-old from North Shore has received the backing of the resort’s Conservative Party – which has praised him as an “intelligent” candidate with a passion for the resort.

Mr Coughlin said, if elected, he would donate any money given to him through his council allowance to charity and would quit his notorious stand-up role – a feature of Blackpool’s nightlife.

He added: “I am standing for the public.

“I am donating my council allowance to charity if elected.

“I have been performing as Kitty Litter for 20 years up and down the country.

“It is comedy through and through – there is no malice.

“I am doing this for the town and people and what they want.”

Mr Coughlin said if elected he wanted to provide better care for the elderly, help to clean up Blackpool’s streets and help those struggling in the resort.

The 48-year-old has not been told which ward he will be standing for, but is expected to find out in the next week.

Pat Francioni, of the Blackpool Conservatives, said Mr Coughlin was a “good man” and admitted they were aware of his character’s stand-up routine.

She added: “There are various things to say. Blackpool is different to a lot of places.

“We have a big lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and a lot of holidaymakers.

“If they want to pay and watch it they can, but if they do not they don’t have to.

“It is the sort of entertainment we have here. The choice is yours.

“William is a good man who helps a tremendous amount of people –he is a good man. He is not Kitty Litter – he is William Coughlin.

“He has a grip on issues in Blackpool, including the homeless and people in the community.”