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"I came from a very straight background and upbringing,
I played football, I was a sports captain, I had
girlfriends. I thought telling people I was gay would mean
no-one would want to know me, but at the Mr Gay UK final I
had more people together, supporting me, in one place, than
I've ever had in my life."
As one of 23 regional finalists, he wore swimwear to show
off his tanned, toned body to celebrity judges including Big
Brother's Lea, Su Pollard, Rowetta and Anita Dobson.
He also appeared in a police-style outfit including a
stab-proof vest during a "dress to impress"
section
Compere, Big Brother's Richard Newman, said: "Mark is a
deserving winner, he's articulate and full of poise and
presence."
Mark's colleague Pc Maureen Hales, one of the party who came
along in matching t-shirts bearing his photograph, said:
"Mark is great, I knew he'd win, he's so down to earth.
He's lovely."
Mark, who lives in Bradford, wins £5,000 in prizes and will
embark on a year of personal appearances and photoshoots. He
was representing Birmingham in the contest, after winning
the city's regional heat at the Nightingale club on a night
out.
Mark came out as gay to his colleagues a couple of months
after he joined the police and says he's had support from
the people he works with.
Mr Gay UK is chosen via text votes and on-the-night voting,
on the basis of looks, personality and x-factor.
Competition organiser Terry George, says: "Mark is a
great example of a young gay man achieving his goals in
life. If anyone assumed it was just bimbos that entered
competitions like this, Mark's proving them wrong."
Mark will be donating part of the prize money to the Sharon
Beshenivsky Memorial Fund.
Superintendent Nigel Hibbert from Kirklees Division said:
“It’s a great achievement and we are all proud of Mark.
He's done very well and we are pleased that he has
won."
Competition organiser Terry George said: “Mr Gay UK is a
fun event with a serious, positive message about young, gay
men enjoying their sexuality and achieving their goals in
life. It shows gay men that they can be out, loud and proud
and not live their life in the shadows.”
Second place winner was sailor Sam Connell, Mr Plymouth, and
third was Mr Brighton, Luke Perkins, a town planner. Other
entrants included a sports journalist and a lifeguard.
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