From Resolven to RuPaul: Olympic swimmer Daniel Jervis makes a splash in Drag Race makeover

Daniel Jervis, who grew up in Resolven near Neath, took on one of the show’s most famous challenges – being transformed head-to-toe into a drag queen.

The Team GB swimmer was paired with US drag performer Mariah Balenciaga for the makeover episode, which saw a group of elite athletes step into the world of drag before walking the runway in front of judges and a global TV audience.

When Jervis stepped onto the main stage in full makeup, costume and towering heels, he adopted the drag name Amirah Balenciaga.

And the transformation proved to be a winning combination.

Judges praised the pair’s performance on the runway – with guest judge and singer Anastacia even admitting she struggled to tell which one of them was the Olympian.

From Resolven to the Olympic Games

Jervis is one of Britain’s leading long-distance freestyle swimmers.

He represented Team GB at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, competing in the gruelling 1500-metre freestyle, one of swimming’s toughest endurance events.

The Welsh athlete has also enjoyed success at the Commonwealth Games, where he won medals for Wales and established himself as one of the UK’s top distance swimmers.

But despite his success in the pool, the Neath Valley swimmer told viewers his personal journey hasn’t always been straightforward.

Jervis publicly came out as gay in 2022, revealing on the show that he had delayed sharing his sexuality until he was 26.

“You can sometimes feel like you’re being told you can’t be Christian and be gay,” he said during the episode.

However, he said he was fortunate to receive support when he did come out.

“My church didn’t change towards me. For me, that’s acceptance,” he explained.

“I understand how privileged I was to have that.”

Jervis added that he had also seen how difficult the experience could be for others.

“I’ve seen someone very close to me come out in a church setting and it’s gone really bad for them.”

Despite the challenges, he said coming out ultimately changed his life for the better.

“My life did turn upside down – but it turned the right way around. Honestly it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Stepping into the world of drag

The swimmer said he wanted to appear on the show partly because he knew it would reach a huge audience – including people who might still be struggling to come out themselves.

He hoped sharing his story could offer reassurance to viewers facing similar challenges.

Before agreeing to take part, Jervis said he sought advice from his father.

“My dad said only do it if you’re going to give it 100%,” he explained.

And once the cameras started rolling, he threw himself fully into the experience.

“It was fun but hard work because I wanted to make Mariah proud and the drag community proud.”

Jervis said he was struck by how welcoming the performers were.

“I’ve never felt so included and comfortable around a group of people in my life. They were from all around the world and so welcoming to us.”

The makeover challenge is one of the most popular parts of the Drag Race format, with contestants judged on how well their guest partner embodies drag performance and how closely the pair resemble members of the same “drag family”.

For Jervis, the transformation was a completely new experience – but one he embraced fully.

Asked by host RuPaul what his favourite part of the makeover was, the Welsh swimmer had a simple answer.

“The heels,” he joked.

“I wanted to go method.”

Jervis said he approached the challenge with the same respect he would expect if drag performers were stepping into his world.

“I have so much respect for these queens,” he said.

“If they were coming into my world, I’d want them to give it 100% and respect what I do.

“It’s the other way around – I’m going into their world and I want to give 100% and respect what they do.”

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Body found in search for missing Llandysul man

Police say that formal identification has yet to take place, but Gareth’s family has been informed.

Earlier appeal

Police launched an appeal last week to trace Gareth, who had been missing since Friday, November 7. He was last seen on Neath Road, Resolven, and was said to be known to frequent the mountains around Resolven and Melincourt.

At the time, officers urged anyone with information to come forward, quoting reference number 2500356857.

Police statement

In today’s update, South Wales Police said:

“Officers searching for 46‑year‑old Gareth Perkins, from Llandysul, Ceredigion, who has been missing since last week, have located a body in Rheola, Neath Port Talbot. Formal identification has yet to take place. Gareth’s family has been informed.”

#llandysul #missingPersons #resolven #rheola #southWalesPolice

Resolven man jailed after violent attack on father and son in Glynneath

A man from Resolven has been jailed after he launched an unprovoked attack on a father outside his Glynneath home, leaving him with serious facial injuries, before striking the victim’s son in front of younger children.

The incident

On the morning of August 11, the victim was upstairs while his two young children played outside. When he noticed two men walking past, one shouting and swearing, he went downstairs to check on them.

Outside, he found Robin Griffiths, aged 34, speaking to the children. Griffiths accused the father of mocking him. When the man tried to explain he had simply been gesturing to his children, Griffiths punched him in the face.

The victim fell to the ground and was repeatedly struck, leaving him with an orbital bone fracture and restricted eye movement that required surgery. Griffiths then told him: “Now you know who I am.”

Children witnessed the attack

The man’s older son came outside to help his father and told Griffiths he was calling the police. Griffiths responded by slapping the boy in the chest and repeating the same threat. The two younger children witnessed the violence and were left crying outside the property.

Court hearing

Griffiths, of Neath Road, Resolven, was arrested and initially claimed self‑defence. He later admitted grievous bodily harm without intent and assault by beating.

At Swansea Crown Court, Judge Huw Rees sentenced him to 20 months in prison and imposed a five‑year restraining order preventing contact with the main victim.

In mitigation, defence barrister Kevin Seal said Griffiths had served in the army before being medically discharged with PTSD, and that the incident happened while he was in a drug‑induced state. He added that Griffiths’ remorse was genuine.

Police statement

Detective Inspector Danielle Thorne of South Wales Police said:

“Everybody should feel safe when they are within the confines of their own home or garden. There is absolutely no place for violent people like Robin Griffiths on our streets. It is only right that he should pay for his violence with a spell in prison.”

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#assault #Glynneath #GlynneathAssault #Resolven #sentencing #SouthWalesPolice #SwanseaCrownCourt

Appeal for information on Resolven teen who went missing 23 years ago broadcast on BBC’s Crimewatch

An appeal on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live has asked for the public’s help in locating teenager Robert Williams who went missing in Neath Port Talbot in 2002.

A renewed appeal for information has now been broadcast on BBC’s Crimewatch Live.

“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him,” Robert’s mum Cheryl told Crimewatch Live.

“I know somebody out there knows something. Somebody was the last person to see my son alive. So all we want as a family is to fetch him home and I want to lay my son to rest, like any other parent would.”

Speaking to the same BBC show, DI David Butt from South Wales Police said: “The last 23 years have been a nightmare for Robert’s family. They deserve answers and the community of Resolven deserves answers. The intention of myself and the investigation team is to find him and return him to his family as soon as possible.”

DI Butt said he’s particularly like to hear from anybody present at a party at a house in Aberdulais on Saturday, March 23, 2002, into Sunday, March 24, 2002, at which Robert was present.

Detectives say they would still like to hear from anyone who has information that may assist their enquiries.

Lead image: Family photo / South Wales Police)

#BBC #Crimewatch #missingPersons #Resolven #SouthWalesPolice