It’s easy to get cynical when you’re in the business of show, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone as positive, inspiring and grateful as the talented Kadiff Kirwan. Born on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat (population: approx. 5,000), he was whisked away to a Preston council estate as a child, an experience he describes as “beyond culture shock”. Although Kirwan attests to having zero trouble from his peers, the fish-out-of-water combo of being the only Black person in school, with a thick Caribbean accent, religious parents and identifying as queer led to some youthful acting out.
“I was bad in school,” Kirwan admits. “I was suspended a couple of times. I put it down to the fact I always knew I was queer. When you’re encased in a really religious upbringing in an environment you’re not accustomed to… I felt alone. I had a drama teacher — shout out to Ms Heywood Conner! — who said, ‘I think you need to come to drama class to channel…’ she didn’t say ‘aggression’, she said
