Opinion Dale Winton should be celebrated for his legacy as a queer icon

When you think of the 90s, one of the first images that will spring to mind will be the face of Dale Winton.
The figurehead of Supermarket Sweep, the presenter spent seven years sorting through foam bananas and errant shopping trolleys on the programme – and became a British icon because of it. 

What is less discussed, however, is how Dale influenced and inspired 90s queers to be themselves.
Unapologetically camp and with a bright day glo tan, Dale at no point tried to shelter how he presented himself under the heat of the spotlight.


Under the derisive mocking of the public eye, Dale decided that he would be the best version of himself – and let the scrutiny of the nation wash over him.
Lambasted for being too cheesy, too tanned and too enthusiastic, at times it felt like the presenter just couldn’t win.
And as writer and trans activist Shon Faye points out, that criticism also came from inside the gay community too.


Yet in spite of the criticism that he faced, Dale’s 31-year career inspired the LGBT+ community with the knowledge that you can be the best version of yourself and succeed beyond anyone’s wildest imaginations.
And simply knowing that Dale could become one of Britain’s most-loved figures as a camp man inspired other LGBT+ people to be proud of their identity.