Theatre-trained Russell, 67, who undergoes a transformation to play Edna Turnblad, said that acting is “where my heart is, it’s my passion”. He admitted that astrology “was a hobby” that became his main career. But he says that his stint on Strictly in 2011, when he was fired from a cannon, helped revive his acting dream.
He said: “People did not know about my musical theatre roots. For me, Strictly brought me back to the thing where I felt I truly belonged.
“I’d never danced but I knew I had rhythm because I had done musical theatre. I also knew I could perform because I was a trained actor.
“It was those things that joined me on my evolution from beginning to end.”
The Sunday Express astrologer said the role of Edna is a “dream come true” for him.
American star Divine – created by Harris Glenn Milstead – played the original downtrodden wife turned glamour puss Edna in the 1988 hit film.
Russell says he channelled Divine, who died in the same year aged 42, when finding his inner female for the role.
He said: “Divine was the perfect Edna for me. In the film, Divine really portrays this incredible woman who comes out of her shell, I am playing this role where the ugly duckling becomes a swan.”
John Travolta, 64, played the same role in the 2007 version of the film.
Middlesex-born Russell got his first acting role aged 10 in BBC’s The Wednesday Play.
Edna is not Russell’s only female role.
His DJ alter ego Venus La Diva is to appear at the London venue Studio 88.
Russell became a household name when he gave the Queen Mother her astrological chart in 1978.
Hairspray will open in May at The Gaiety Bar, Southsea, Hampshire.