Secret life of cancer victim is revealed

THE brother of a cancer victim who died after snubbing medical treatment has spoken of the "fantastic secret double life" his sibling led.

Jeffrey Wright, 48, died at the Western General Hospital on Saturday following a six-month battle with cancer. He previously beat the disease in 2004 but when it recurred in his blood last December he told friends he could not face "horrendous" bouts of chemotherapy again.

The Evening News reported last week how he ignored medical advice and family pleas to seek treatment for his illness.

Today, brother Steven, 51, revealed that rather than the "lonely" figure he had imagined, Mr Wright led a secret life.

He said: "We always thought he was a wee bit of the black sheep of the family but he led an unbelievable life. I am learning more about him in death than in life.

"I was shocked when I heard that he had this fantastic secret double life. He really played a big part in the Edinburgh gay community. It was something he didn't really discuss with us. We knew he was gay but may have been a bit embarrassed by his sexuality because he never talked about it."

It now transpires that Mr Wright was also known as "Gloria Thistle" and wowed audiences as a popular drag act in London throughout the 1990s. When he eventually moved back to his native Edinburgh, he could occasionally be seen out on the tiles in glamorous costume, friends have said, although he never performed the act in the Capital.

Steven said: "We met many friends of his on Saturday and they had so many great things to say about him. I thought Jeffrey was a lonely person who needed company and that was not the case at all.

"Everyone we have met since he died has had great stories about him. Some of these people he has known for more than 10 years and we never even knew about them.

"I am just so happy that he had a great life and not a sad, miserable existence. It's quite comforting."

A massive turnout is now expected at Mr Wright's funeral on Wednesday at 1.30pm at Mortonhall Crematorium.

"It was never going to be a quiet funeral but now we are expecting at least 100 people there," said Steven. "He never discussed his sexuality with us but there were no barriers with his friends and no false images.

"I was resentful of him for not getting the treatment he needed but now I feel comforted by this other life he had."

One of Mr Wright's closest friends has agreed to say a few words at the funeral.

Jeffrey Wright's last wish to be buried at a family plot at Seafield Cemetery will be met and a reception will be held Carrickvale Golf Club at 3pm.