I’m a Celebrity star looks unrecognisable in drag as he joins viral 2016 throwback trend
“Let me explain…”
By Aaron Sugg
Dean McCullough is one of the latest celebrities to join the viral 2026-to-2016 trend, throwing it back ten years revisiting the moment he went full glam in drag.
As the internet calls for a 2016 comeback, 2026 has seen stars from that era reclaim the spotlight – most notably Zara Larsson, whose resurgence has reminded fans just how big a hit Lush Life was.
The I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! star posted photos to Instagram from a decade ago and, without checking the account name, some might not have recognised McCullough.
“Let me explain” – Dean McCullough after shocking fans with his 2016 drag look
“Let me explain…” wrote the BBC Radio 1 DJ in the caption beneath images of him sporting a balayage-style wig and metallic purple eyeshadow, perfectly matched to his gown.
“Me and my friend Marc Gee-Finch got paid to promote Cirque du Soleil in drag at Manchester Pride,” McCullough explained. “We did our own make-up and handed out flyers for about ten minutes, took some pics in our outfits, then got changed and got wrecked for three days.”
Originally from Northern Ireland, the TV personality said that putting on a pair of heels that day marked the moment he fell in love with Manchester – the city he now calls home.
What else did McCullough get up to in 2016?
That same year, McCullough began working in radio, making it a standout year for the 33-year-old, before later securing a permanent role at BBC Radio 1 in September 2021.
He added: “I volunteered at Wandsworth Radio (now This Is Riverside) and had the best time doing their breakfast show every morning until the sesh got the better of me and I kept missing the show.”
It was also the year McCullough first appeared on television, presenting Gala Bingo TV, where he was paid £100 per shift – a moment he has said made him feel like he had “made it”.
McCullough most recently starred in I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2024, becoming the second celebrity to leave the series after repeatedly being voted to take part in Bushtucker Trials.
He was voted for so many times that, as a result, the show introduced a rule change for the 2025 series, ensuring all celebrities had the chance to take part in trials.
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