This is Part 1 of my in-depth conversation with Bill Smart, taking us right back to his earliest years — from a childhood in Dr Barnardo’s to life in Old Trafford and Moss Side — and the experiences that shaped him.
Bill paints a vivid picture of growing up in the 1960s and ’70s: the tight-knit community where everyone was “Auntie” or “Uncle,” the Whit Walks, and the fashions that first caught his eye. He talks openly about living through trauma, navigating care homes, and how humour became his armour in tough environments.
At school, Bill’s protective streak emerged. He shares the moment he stood up to a feared bully — a turning point that earned him respect. His teenage years in Southport brought him into the world of music and dance: sneaking into venues underage, discovering Northern Soul and Motown, and perfecting his moves by watching the best on the floor.
We also hear about his early awareness of his sexuality, the support from forward-thinking teachers and church leaders, and the friendships that grounded him. Foster care gave him a first real taste of family life — something that still means a great deal to him.
By 17, London was calling. Bill’s stories from this time are full of colour — living in a vicarage opposite the Oval, working for couture designer Gina Frattini, and stepping into the capital’s disco-era gay scene. There’s even an unforgettable night at a themed club party where the PA was Grace Jones, performing “La Vie en Rose” right at the start of her career.
Part 1 closes with Bill returning north, training as a nurse, and working in Manchester’s gay venues during the height of the AIDS crisis — a time marked by joy, loss, and community spirit.
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