The Boy Who Sat By the Window: The Story of the Queen of Soho

Author(s): David Hodge

Gay Male & Bi Biography/Memoir


From a skinny, ginger-haired kid from Walsall who was bullied at school, to the ‘Queen of Soho’, who would rule London’s drag scene in its most dazzling era. This gripping true story follows an unassuming boy, separated from other children and made to sit by the window, on to a remarkable career, with celeb buddies including Kylie Minogue, The Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, Cyndi Lauper and, of course, Boy George.


But behind the glitter, there was a far darker reality. David worked simultaneously at London Lighthouse, the pioneering centre for the care of people living with HIV and AIDS.


Here, the young David grew up fast and opened his eyes to the true impact of this terrifying pandemic. The contrast was stark between the life of David Hodge during the day and the life of Miss Dusty O after dark.


After two decades in clubland, as drink and drugs started to take their toll and he feared he was developing his father’s alcoholic patterns, David changed his life yet again…


January 2023


Product Information

The extraordinary life story of David Hodge – the ‘Very Miss Dusty O’.

'Enjoy this story. I already jumped to the parts about me.' - Boy George

David Hodge is now an acclaimed artist. He has had five international exhibitions of his unique brand of pop-art, including one in the Houses of Parliament. Happily married to Marc, these days David leads a quieter if no less creative life. ‘The Queen of Soho’ is dead. The boy who sat by the window lives on.

General Fields

  • : 9781914451744
  • : Mardle Books
  • : 01 September 2022
  • : 01 September 2022
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : 240
  • : 306.7662092
  • : Hardback
  • : David Hodge