A CHESTER photographer’s portfolio proves he’s got talent.

Neil Kendall’s pictures of Britain’s Got Talent burlesque act Carrie Ann O’Dell have appeared in national tabloids as show judges Piers Morgan and Simon Cowell get hot under the collar over her Dita von Teese tribute act. The act, in which Carrie Ann performs in an over-sized champagne glass, is due to be broadcast on ITV1 this Saturday night.

Neil’s photographs of Carrie Ann, who hails from Nottingham, were shot at Cruise Nightclub in St John Street.

He said: “I’m known for doing a lot of burlesque photography and am currently working on a coffee table photographic book called Mondo Burlesque.

“As soon as the news was out about Carrie Ann’s act on Britain’s Got Talent I had all the national newspapers on the phone.

“I’ve been offered vast sums of money to ‘dish the dirt’ on her but I have nothing but admiration for the work she does.”

Neil is also managing director of Goldust Productions and regularly promotes burlesque acts in Chester as compere Rory del Rivo.

As a big thank you to the former University of Chester student, Carrie Ann has agreed to perform at Neil’s New Year’s Eve burlesque night at his Starlit Ballroom, aka Chester’s Guildhall.

Neil, 40, has a studio at his home in Chester’s Garden Quarter and his work has also been published in top glossy magazines like Vogue, Elle and GQ.

Neil is presenting Kitten De Ville in Striporama at Telford’s Warehouse on Thursday April 30. Tickets at £12.50 from 07776198332 or on the door.

Kitten De Ville is hosting a women-only burlesque workshop at the Vintage Shop, Watergate Street, on May 2 from 6pm. Tickets at £10 from 07776198332.