Beary Poppins: drag queen to 'step back from the stage'
Otherwise known as Ben Pulsford, the icon of the London scene is taking time away from drag to focus on his mental health
After four years in the spotlight, it's time for Ben Pulsford to step away from the stage - for now.
The performer - known on the London scene as the 'beardy bombshell', Beary Poppins - is hanging up his wig because he says 'it's time to put Ben first', and focus on his mental health.
In a statement shared on social media just last week, he described the sparkle of it all 'dimming', and is urging us all to think about prioritising our wellbeing.
Beary stormed the capital's LGBTQ+ scene back in 2021, and has since performed at well-known venues including The Royal Vauxhall Tavern, The Two Brewers, The Admiral Duncan and Alexandra Palace.
And there's one word he used to describe his time in drag: 'supercalifragilistic'.
'I wanted to put Ben first'
In an exclusive interview with Hits Radio Pride, Ben told us how Beary Poppins isn't going away... she's just being put on ice for a while.
The drag queen said: "In short, I wanted to put Ben first. I've been very open in my drag career about having bipolar, so after many years of loving it, I've decided that I really need to prioritise my health and wellbeing in the spotlight, and really focus on me for a time.
"Generally, I don't really think performers like talking about these things, but I've always thought it's important to voice my story... after all, health is wealth!
"And do you know what? It's okay to recognise when you need to put yourself first.
"And it's okay to go, 'I'm struggling', because so many of us are - but so many of us aren't talking about it.
"The more of us who speak about it, the better it is for us all, and that's exactly why I've been so open with people about my own mental health journey.
"Because it's so important."
'As much as I'm going to miss her, I know it's really the right thing for me'
All of this, though, comes after a huge few years for Beary Poppins.
The self-described London drag queen songstress says performing on-stage with heroes who now are called 'friends' has been a 'wonderful' part of of the experience.
Ben added: "I started on the scene doing it as a bit of laugh, but it's been a rollercoaster from week one.
"It just went from strength to strength!
"My highlights have to include hosting a show at Ally Pally for the London Gay Men's Chorus, and that was unreal, just two years into my career in drag!
"I've met so many legends of the scene, so many Drag Race girls, and the moment that stands out for me is hosting a show at the Clapham Grand with Danny Beard, who has been a massive drag hero of mine.
"She's just an icon, and just to share the same microphone as her - that was so legendary, and it's been a real treat to call people like her... my heroes, as friends.
"But I think those wonderful connections I've made, though, have come at the sacrifice of myself, as performers always put the audience first.
"So I'm just flipping it to really focus on me - and who knows, I'll come out stronger, and maybe even a better person because of it.
"As much as I'm going to miss her, I know it's really the right thing for me."
'Even Mary Poppins knows when it's time to float off in the breeze'
In a full statement on Instagram, Beary Poppins said: "After four unforgettable years as Beary Poppins, I’m folding up my umbrella and stepping away from the stage — at least for the foreseeable future.
"When I first set foot onto the London drag scene, everything happened at lightning speed. I went from strength to strength: performing in iconic venues, working alongside extraordinary talent, and discovering a wonderful drag family.
"Drag gave me confidence I never knew I had, and the joy Beary brought into my life has been nothing short of supercalifragilistic.
"But even Mary Poppins knows when it’s time to float off on the breeze. The scene has shifted, and while there’s still so much beauty in it, I found the sparkle dimmed when the positivity no longer outweighed the negativity. For the sake of my mental health, I need to choose Ben over Beary full-time.
"So many of us - especially performers and queer folks - often put everything and everyone ahead of our own mental health. It’s easy to forget we’re people first, sparkle second. I’ve learned the hard way that taking a step back isn’t selfish; sometimes it’s what keeps us going. I hope this is a gentle reminder to put your wellbeing first when you need to.
"I’ll be archiving my Beary account in November, but Ben isn’t going anywhere."
Beary Poppins is committing to all of her dates this month, promising to bow out of drag 'with a bang'.