I’m delighted that the event will kick off the Manchester Pride weekend, and 25 contestants from around the UK who battled through their heats will strut their stuff on stage to impress the judges.

The Ritz on Whitworth Street, Manchester is the venue for what will be a fantastic evening, and I’m really excited that Jane McDonald will be our host for the evening.

She will be joined by a celebrity judging panel which includes lovebirds Luke Marsden and Rebecca Shiner from this year’s Big Brother TV show.

The outspoken pair have just returned from their ‘wedding’ in Las Vegas, but unlike Peaches Geldof theirs was only a trial.Š I just hope we can prise them apart for long enough to concentrate on our contestants.

80’s new romantic and Visage front man Steve Strange is also on the panel, together with Aled Haydn Jones from Chris Moyles’ Radio 1 show, Lucio from Hits channel chart 40 uk show and hunky Scott Wright formerly of Corrie. Two stars from Hollyoaks complete the line up.

Previous hosts and judges have included Sir Ian McKellen, Graham Norton, Lily Savage, Jason Donovan, Jean Paul Gaultier and dozens more so it’s always popular with the stars.

Thousands of people will be flooding into Manchester for the whole Pride weekend so Mr Gay UK is a great event to kick start the fun.

The finalists are really getting nervous though and trying to come up with the most dazzling fantasy outfit to make them stand out on stage.Š My phone is ringing non-stop with questions from the guys, desperate to be their best on the night.

As well as the coveted title, the winner takes home thousands of pounds in prizes including cash, a holiday, a photo shoot in Morocco and they will also be the face of Bent magazine and an exclusive aftershave.

Since Huddersfield Policeman Mark Carter (left) was crowned Mr Gay UK in 2006, we’ve seen a huge revival in popularity for the competition.Š Mark was a great ambassador, going on to take second place in Mr Gay Europe.Š

Last year’s winner Daniel Broughton from Blackpool has had a great year too.Š It’s going to be a battle just wrenching the trophy out of his hands but I can’t wait to see who will walk away with it on Friday.

The first 10 people to email me at terry@terrygeorge.co.uk with the correct answer to the following question will win a free pair of tickets.

Which loose woman is hosting this year’s Mr Gay UK Final?

If you aren’t a lucky winner you can still buy tickets on the door from 10pm onwards.