A DUNFERMLINE-BORN political activist and parliamentary researcher by day, who dresses as a woman and cracks jokes by night, is ditching his suit for the glad rags and London.

Nathan Sparling (24), who currently works at SNP MSP Aileen Campbell’s Carluke office, is leaving for the bright lights and cabaret life of a full-time 7ft drag queen.

He has been performing as ‘Scotland’s biggest drag queen’ and critically acclaimed stand-up comedian Nancy Clench for five years, touring the UK and playing the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

“I’ve always loved performing and now I’ve decided to take the jump to make this my full-time career,” said Nathan.

“I’ve been a political activist for the past seven years and have been working in and around Parliament for the past three years.

“I love Scotland deeply and it will be extremely sad to leave – but London is the cabaret capital and there are just so many opportunities to build on the success of Nancy Clench that it’s too good to miss out on.

“London is such a terrific city – I met lots of new friends when I was down for my tour and caught up with many old ones too.

“I know I’m going to have a great time and I can’t wait to take to the stage in venues across London again.I am going down at just a perfect time because all the venues are starting to fill their books for the 2015 diaries.” Nancy Clench’s show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, called ‘Down Right Dirty’, received five-star reviews. The show sold out five of its seven dates which all featured content about growing up in Fife.

Nathan (pictured above with Alex Salmond) lives in Pollokshields but will move to London next month.

He added, “My Fringe show went really well and the comments about Fifers got good laughs – I actually performed the same show in a London tour recently and the jokes about small-town mentality went down really well there too.

“My mum and dad also came along and they really enjoyed it! I’ll be back in Scotland performing regularly. It will be sad to leave behind my parents, my baby twin brothers, younger sister and all my family.

“They were surprised when I told them I was leaving my job and heading to London because it was quite out of the blue.

“I want to make them proud of what I’m doing and I hope that this next chapter will be able to do that.” Aileen Campbell MSP commented, “I wish Nathan and Nancy well on their move to London. Swapping the Clydesdale constituency office for the city lights will bring new and exciting opportunities and I know it will be a successful move.

“Nathan has been a valued member of my team and we all wish him the best of luck in his new career and hope to see his and Nancy’s name in lights soon!”