LGBTQ+ podcast The Gossip Gays has been announced as the first podcast to become an official media partner to Manchester Pride.
The podcast series, produced by Manchester-based company Audio Always, will feature special coverage ahead of and during the event, which is taking place from 25 to 28 August this year.
“Not only is our HQ in Greater Manchester, but the Pride movement is perfectly aligned with our ethos of elevating talent and creativity while celebrating diversity,” said Audio Always head of partnerships and marketing Paul Fernley. “We’re proud and excited as media partners to be able to deliver more original content across our network over this fabulous four-day celebration.”
The podcast’s special coverage of the event will include countdowns on the episodes ahead of the festival weekend, as well as daily backstage episodes and exclusive backstage stories during the celebration. There will also be additional “wider activity” across the Audio Always network, including originals like Help I Sexted My Boss and Secret Mum Club.
The co-hosts of the podcast, former Drag Race UK 2022 winner Danny Beard and best friend DJ Billy Andrew, will feature on the festival’s main stage alongside a number of other performers, including fellow drag queen Pablo Vittar and artists like Jake Shears.
“We can’t wait to be part of this queer-led, queer-run celebration of LGBTQ+ life,” said Beard. “We’re going to be right at the heart of the festival with access to all the artists, performers and Manchester Pride fans.”
“We’ll be sharing all the juice from the festival as well as dissecting listeners' dilemmas on special servings of Sloppy Seconds,” said Andrew. “Taking The Gossip Gays to the heartland of Pride is a dream come true.”
Audio Always develops and produces a number of podcasts for other networks, in addition to its originals, including hit series for the BBC like Elis James and John Robins’ Isolation Tapes and How Do You Cope podcasts, as well as 5 Live’s podcast on the history of Russia A To Tsar.
