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What did transvestite Dean and his new wife do next?

SOUTH Yorkshire cross-dresser Dean Dudley and his wife Robyn have signed up to appear on Channel 4 programme Wife Swap.

The couple - who shot to fame a year ago after taking part in a documentary about women who marry transvestites - have agreed to take part in the next series of the life-changing show.

Now the production company is trying to find a family to come to Barnsley and swap with them.

Want to see how Dean becomes Deanne? Click here to see our exclusive video and read about their wedding.

It's the latest experience in a whirlwind year for Dean, his alter-ego Deanne, and his wife Robyn, who were catapulted into the spotlight last January.

From Richard and Judy's couch to Phil and Fern's sofa via magazines, newspapers, TV news and Trisha's studio, Dean - who told his family about his fetish only when he turned up for his wedding reception in a bridal gown - says he has enjoyed every minute of it.

The 36-year-old said: "It's been a brilliant experience. Those first three or four days were absolutely mental. We had TV cameras outside at the same time as we were doing an interview for Reveal, and then two mobiles ringing at the same time as the landline.

"We felt like celebs and I'd say to anyone to give something like that a go if they ever get the chance."

Since Dean hit the headlines he has given up his job on the factory floor at Seal Engineering in Ecclesfield, Sheffield, and now concentrates his energies on his children's entertainment company which he runs with Robyn.

He left his job last April, three months after outing himself to his workmates.

"Some of them still talked to me but others didn't and I felt like a ghost back there," he said. "There have been a few negative experiences but it's by-the-by. Most of it's been really positive."

He said it had also been a year of building up links with other transvestites from across the region, and providing a place where cross-dressers can go for support if they're facing prejudice as a result of their lifestyle. Since the programme aired on Sky last year people have contacted them looking for advice about 'coming out' as cross-dressers, and Dean said he was thrilled people had come forward for support.

"That's why we wanted to do the programme," he said. "We wanted to show people it's not something to be scared or frightened of, and let them know it's more popular than people think.

"We've made some good friends who got in touch after the show - people who until now haven't been able to express their persuasion."

Through a night called Le Femmes at Club Xes in Carlisle Street in Sheffield, Dean and Robyn - along with their friend Charlotte Gibson - have also helped create a place where people can go for help with 'coming out' issues, and receive other friendly advice on things like hair, clothes and make-up.

Dean said: "It's an ideal place for people who are going out for the first time. Of all the places I've been to it's definitely the one with the best atmosphere."

In fact the night is so good it was nominated in a national awards programme for the Best Transvestite/Transgender Night at the Sparkle festival in Manchester.

It's also been a year of changes for Robyn - who has shed six stone in the past 18 months.

She said she often gets recognised before Dean, and added she was chuffed the club night was going "from strength to strength".

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