\n The drama opens with a shocking and disturbing scene that immediately sets the tone for an utterly gripping first episode.\n<\/p>\n
\n While a dark undercurrent runs throughout, hinting at the fate audiences glimpse from the outset, Russell balances the tension with moments of humour.\n<\/p>\n
\n Set partly in Manchester\u2019s Canal Street<\/a>, the heart of the city\u2019s Gay Village, the opening episode offers both light and shade.\n<\/p>\n \n \n One moment features a hilarious drunken drag queen feud, the next delivers a heartbreaking monologue exploring the realities of being gay in 2026.\n<\/p>\n \n Viewers should be prepared for some genuinely shocking scenes, including moments that may leave you squirming if you’re watching alongside family members.\n<\/p>\n \n Yet it all contributes to the authenticity of Russell\u2019s writing, which never shies away from difficult conversations or uncomfortable truths.\n<\/p>\n \n Keen-eyed viewers will also spot two Bolton-born stars<\/a> in the first episode.\n<\/p>\n \n \n Gabriel Clark from Harwood, best known for playing Ollie Morgan in the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, stars as Mickey.\n<\/p>\n \n Viewers will first see Gabriel\u2019s character in Alan Cumming\u2019s bar.\n<\/p>\n \n Dominic Holmes from Great Lever plays Regime, who is a teacher by day and drag queen by night.\n<\/p>\n \n Regime\u2019s first appearance comes when she realises some of her students have spotted her in drag at the bar.\n<\/p>\n \n Speaking to The Bolton News, Dominic said: \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of amazing Northern talent in Tip Toe.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cIt\u2019s important to see people being authentic to themselves and representing where they\u2019re from.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n \n Gabriel added: \u201cI love Bolton but, growing up and being gay<\/a>, I didn\u2019t really know where my community was.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cIf I\u2019d known Dom when I was younger, my life probably would have been very different.\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cThis has been one of the best things to come out of this job for me, meeting a community of Northern LGBTQ+ people, particularly from Bolton.\u201d\n<\/p>\nThe star-studded cast of Tip Toe (Image: NQ)\n<\/p>\n
Dominic Holmes (left) and Gabriel Clark (right) (Image: Annabel Lee-Ellis PA)\n<\/p>\n
Bolton star Gabriel Clark on the red carpet (Image: NQ)\n<\/p>\n