CARE home residents were treated to an eye-popping performance from drag queen Bella Berserk.

Residents at Ghyll Grove Nursing Home, in Ghyll Grove, Basildon, whooped, clapped, and cheered as Bella ran through her take on a host of showbiz icons.

They also sang along energetically as Bella brought a touch of glamour to the home with her colourful afternoon show.

Dressed in a pink sequin dress and skyscraper heels, Bella kicked off the two-hour showwith a set of risque jokes before moving on to music.

The excited audience were treated to hilarious renditions of songs by legendary stars, including Tina Turner, Marilyn Monroe, Dolly Parton and Dame Shirley Bassey.

Resident Doreen Mackay, 83, said: “Everyone was laughing, so that’s a good sign. It’s certainly something quite different.

“She got a bit rude, but I don’t mind that.

We have all lived and it’s just a bit of fun.”

Laverne Barritt, 69, watched the show with husband Ron, 81, a Ghyll Grove nursing home resident who has dementia.

She said: “I think it’s brilliant and great to have something a bit different. It does the residents good because normally they are stuck looking at the same surroundings.

“Ronmight have dementia, but I can still tell how much he enjoyed it.”

Southend-based drag act Bella, created by John Hurley, has been performing for crowds around the world for the past 14 years.

The unusual entertainment marked the start of a fun-filled Christmas schedule at Ghyll Grove nursing home, which was paid for following a year of fundraising efforts, including raffles and table top sales.

Kay Thompson, activity co-ordinator at the Bupa-run care home, said: “All through the year we try to put on entertainment but it can get a bit boring because it is often the same kind of stuff, so we decided to try something new. Times are changing and so are our residents.

“It was a bit of an experiment but they seemed to love Bella Berserk. This was their big treat.”