The recent passing of drag queen Phil Lewis, affectionately known as Pinky, has left fans of the hit Channel 4 series It’s A Sin in mourning. Lewis, who was a real-life inspiration behind the show, played a pivotal role in the creation of the 1980s-based HIV/Aids drama.
Russell T Davies, the writer of It’s A Sin, paid a heartfelt tribute to Lewis on Instagram, describing him as a “beautiful man” and expressing his sympathies to Lewis’ partner, friends, and family. Davies credited Lewis and his group of friends for founding The Pink Palace, the iconic London flat-share that served as a central setting in the series.
It’s A Sin, which garnered critical acclaim and a large viewership upon its release, almost didn’t make it to the screen due to its challenging subject matter. Despite this, the series received praise from celebrities such as Graham Norton and Sir Elton John, who hailed it as a triumph of creativity and humanity.
The legacy of Pinky and his contributions to It’s A Sin will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of fans and the impact of the groundbreaking series.