Charley Marlowe is a dynamic and trailblazing LGBTQIA+ presenter known for her authenticity, charisma, and commitment to amplifying queer voices in the media. A familiar face to many, Charley gained widespread recognition as the narrator on I Kissed A Girl, the groundbreaking BBC Three show exploring the intricacies of queer dating, love, and identity. Her natural ability to connect with diverse audiences has made her a standout figure in the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.

Marlowe chats with us about facing challenges in the industry, TV presenters she admires, and where she would like to be in five years.

Can you tell us about your journey into presenting and what made you go down this route? 

I feel like when I was at school, I just wanted to be working in TV.  I wanted to be a presenter.  I didn’t know how I was going to get there, but I was. I used to Google Holly Willoughby's Wikipedia page, and it said she was in a cafe when she was scouted to be a model, and I thought,  "Oh, that's not going to work.” [laughs]

So yeah, I feel like  I was constantly manifesting with not a lot of detail in my head,  just going,  "I want to be a presenter", and then I was at my Saturday job; I used to work in Vauxhall on a Saturday, I've been saying to one of the other girls,  "I want to be like Peter Kay", and she was like,  "Well, you should go to Salford then, where he went", and I went  "Ok!”  [Laughs]

What challenges have you faced as an  LGBTQIA+ presenter, and how did you overcome those obstacles?  

As far as I know, I don't think I have faced any obstacles, that I know of. There are always going to be conversations happening that I’m not privy to, so I can’t say if my sexuality has hindered me in terms of work. To my knowledge it’s always been celebrated, especially in the case of IKAG, so I’m incredibly lucky. 

Do you have any presenters that inspired you in your career?  

I have always loved a bit of Ant & Dec; they're not the queerest, but I do.

I always loved it when comedians got their own shows in the afternoon, like Ruth Jones and Paul O’Grady. I adore Mel and Sue, I can't believe I almost forgot them. They’re just so off the cuff and brilliant. Watching them at a young age definitely made an impact on me. I think any woman who was given the opportunity to have their own show had an impact on me, because it felt so rare when I was younger. It still does to be honest. We only see men in those spaces.

What was it like working for the BBC Three show I Kissed a Girl?  Did you watch I Kissed a Boy to understand what Layton Williams did with narrating the show? 

I watched I Kissed a Boy when it first came out and absolutely loved it but I purposefully didn’t rewatch it before I narrated IKAG. I think I’d have struggled to have left my own mark on the show had I done that. Because it was the first time I’d done any kind of voice work, I would have relied on what Layton did too much and it would have been more of an imitation opposed to my work. 

Whenever someone asks me, oh, what would you love to present?  I don't know because I don't want it to already exist now; I want it to be made; I want to make it. That way, there are no shoes to fill and you don’t have to live up to a certain reputation, you can do things your way, as long as the producers, directors and everyone else agrees. 

How do you think I Kissed A Girl contributes to conversations about  LGBTQIA+  relationships and representation on television?

It's mad to say, but even in 2024, so many queer shows get one series, and they get cancelled.  You don't get character development, storyline expansion or anything else you’d expect in a ‘heterosexual’ show. And for some weird reason, the main character will always die or get killed in lesbian-queer programming, which is even more of a kick in the tits. So, I think IKAG is a fantastic representation of queer individuals looking to find queer love, whether that be in a romantic or platonic relationship. They’re real people who aren’t confined to the sometimes odd and depressing plot lines queer characters in tv and film are often confined to. 

Of course important topics are discussed, such as why is L first LGBTQIA+ which is incredible and so so important. But it also leaves space for the contestants to explore their sexuality and what they want in a partner/friend in a safe and comfortable environment. They don’t have to cater to the mail gaze and the show isn’t confined to the same rules that other dating shows put in place. 

I think it's lovely, and I'm happy they've made a show like this.  I think it's just incredible, and I've had so many people talk about it,  which was terrific. It does so much for representation and I just wish I had this when I was younger. 

Are any particular projects,  interviews, or moments in your career that stand out to you?

I loved working the BAFTAs while I was on the red carpet; that was amazing.  Getting thrown in the deep end feels crazy. Ant & Dec are over there, and Hannah Waddingham's over there. When you are such a big fan of TV growing up and all of these figures that you recognise are around you, it’s hard to take it in. You never think you’re going to be in the same industry as these people you’ve admired for so many years, and all of a sudden you are, and some of them already know who you are. I typically find it quite hard to reflect on my work and be proud of what I’ve done, it’s almost like I can’t register the emotion. But after BAFTAs, I went to bed with a huge smile on my face.  

What advice would you give to young  LGBTQIA+  individuals who are inspired to be successful in the industry?  

It's proper naff, which is ironic, but just be yourself.

What is going to be your selling point? Be true to yourself and be polite.  Just work hard, and you know it is hard, but you will get there my love.  I'm still trying to get there!

I look at Davina McCall, and I think she's fantastic; she's always going to be at work,  she's always going to have a job,  and she's so talented,  so incredible.  And then I  wonder how Davina feels. Does she think she will always be at work?  Do you know what I mean?  I don’t mean that in a patronising way, but I see that; I think I saw an article about an A-list actor, and she was like, when you’re down here looking up, and you think, God, everything must be perfect for them.

Just be as sure of yourself as possible, but be good, be a worker, get in there, and do your job! 

Where would you like to see yourself in five years?

I would like to see myself on the tele doing some amalgamation of a show like a Sunday Morning Breakfast show or a mid-afternoon show like Paul O'Grady before The Chase or make an SNL or a Late Late Show for the UK.

When Alan Carr used do Chatty Man, he would eat that shit up, I was like, this is incredible. I want a woman to do it. Straight men get so many bloody chances. I feel as though the tables are slowly turning back in favour of TV, which is fantastic. Everything has been so heavily reliant on social media, which of course I love, but there is such a joy in tele that I don’t want to die. It can’t die, it just needs smacking on the tits and I’m the one to do it. 

Lastly, what would you like to ReVamp and why? 

Sunday brunch.  [laughs]

Sunday brunch, Charley's brunch. I want to bring back the gays from the Jonathan Ross Show, The Gay Quartet, the little song about every guest.  Have Alan Carr's drinky bit, more of a cocktail segment, get Simon Rimmer to make a lovely roast every week.