A DRAG queen who comperes a karaoke night in Bolton was the first person to receive a transplant at Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.

Stephen Lim, 27, received a kidney from a deceased donor when the Manchester Rena Transplant Unit reopened at the MRI in July.

The unit provides a full range of kidney and pancreas transplant services for adults and children.

Stephen was born with chronic kidney disease (CKD), a long-term condition which can cause a gradual loss of kidney function over time.

He has been on the transplant waiting list for six years and when he was very young he suffered a kidney infection that caused irreversible scarring.

Stephen, who works in retail during the day but becomes drag queen Nadia Business at night, said: “I can’t say thank you enough to everyone in the transplant team for everything they’ve done.

“The whole team has been professional, welcoming and friendly throughout, and are always very quick to explain stuff so I know what’s going on.

“I feel especially lucky and grateful to be the first MRI patient to receive an organ since after lockdown.

“I know that Covid-19 precautions will have added another layer of complexity for the team’s work but they were so professional that you couldn’t notice. I can’t fault anything from them, they were brilliant.

“The process itself was all very quick and smooth which was good because it meant I didn’t have much time to get nervous.

“Due to Covid-19 restrictions my parents unfortunately weren’t able to come with me into the hospital, but the team were great at making me feel comfortable.

“My mum’s a nurse so I’ve had to distance from her in the house which has been interesting, but we understand we need to act responsibly so we’re taking all precautions.

“I now feel really well, even better than I was expecting to after the operation."