IN THIS ISSUE

Every so often, a TV show comes along that is way more than a popular hit and more of a cultural phenomenon. The most recent example is the Netflix series Queer Eye. Yes, it’s a remake of the early noughties makeover show, where five gay men overhaul the wardrobes and homes of hapless straight men, but the 2018 version has so much more heart and depth. I will admit to having cried – big, fat tears and racking sobs – during every episode because there’s something incredibly beautiful at play here. I’d go so far as to say that Queer Eye is doing some groundbreaking work for men everywhere. In every show I’ve witnessed hitherto lost men, crippled by self-esteem issues, being released from a virtual prison of toxic masculinity. And the results are incredible. The show has really made me wonder: how many men are existing inside gruff, hyper-macho shells, living lesser versions of themselves, for fear of being ridiculed about showing emotion, or just wanting a nice haircut?

After binge-watching the first series, I cheekily tweeted the interiors expert Bobby Berk, and asked him to give me a quote for a bathroom refurb. I was shocked to get a reply: ‘I’m sure we can work something out!’ I was more excited than if Beyoncé had agreed to swing by my house and sing ‘Happy Birthday’. Any time you want to discuss moodboards, Bobby, I’m there…

While many of you will already be fellow fans of the show, I’m still meeting people who don’t know it. And now that, thrillingly, the second series is out, it seems the perfect excuse for me to wax lyrical about it and also to profile the ‘Fab Five’. As our interviews show, off-camera they’re everything like you’d hope them to be.

I hope you enjoy reading it and everything else in another packed issue of YOU.

“THERE IS SOMETHING INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL AT PLAY IN QUEER EYE ”