Would you tarry with young Prince Harry? From ginger minge to strawberry blonde, red-head Adrian Gillan on a crimson fetish, gay taunts and jibes and why reds now have cred, not just in bed.

Look around. One of Nature’s rarest assets, Red is reserved for emergencies and maximum impact: for strawberries and rubies, blood and brothels, roses and robes, fire and foxes, danger and devils, lipstick and wine. From dusky dawns to juicy cherries, Nature is saying “watch out boys” or “come and get it”!

So is it jealousy perhaps that has somehow subverted the genetic grace and birthright of a red mop into some risible curse, not least amongst boys? The jokes in the showers still echo, the last resort put-down still hurts - up there with my worst nightmares of gay-hate, and still widespread, not least amongst gays.

As queers, above all, might know: to be different - to stand out from the jeering crowd - is indeed a mixed blessing. And the pressure has proved too great for some with crimson curls. Instead of flaunting their crowning glory, internalised ging-phobia has mislead many a red-head into denial, wearing silly closet hats, shaving or dying their pubic follicles or turning into that colourful clown to deflect demeaning darts.

The result? We’re hair-brushed from history and porn mag alike! There’d be hoards of horny red-haired role-models - from Greeks and Jews through to Scots and Celts - if only their colouring hadn’t been hidden or suppressed, except where used to abuse. If only queer Michelangelo had painted onto marble David’s ravishing red locks; if only Nero’d been photo’d or Cagney and Tracy shot in colour. Moreover, for every Robin Cook, there’s a Iwan Thomas; for every Chris Evans, a nice Nicky Butt.

And ironically - should a red’n stand his ground - for every boy who flees or jeers, there’s also one who drools and leers. I’m for ever astounded at the number of guys who fancy us as fetish. Red hair denudes and exposes. At high risk of ridicule, it’s vulnerable, striking and strips you quite bare - like some “I’ve got ginger minge” sticker slapped to your forehead, as honey lines draw down the bee.

Dubbed “Duracell” at school after my “copper-coloured top”, I’ve always felt a soft-spot and solidarity for my red-maned mates - an unspoken mutual and almost carnal knowledge and communion. Naturally, there’s red and then there’s red: a spectrum from pale strawberry blonde, through auburn and ginger to luminous carotene neon - the redder, the more stripped and brazen, shameless and teasing, sexy and risky, so often set off against deep-dazzling sea-blue eyes! And as for two reds in a bed!

Of course, gay red-tops Andy Bell and Jimmy Somerville can croon for England, but there’s only one Gay Icon in the land these days. Blue-blooded cutsie, fiery Harry - who doubtless gets his red creds from feisty William the Conqueror or Henry VIII - has stolen a march on hunk Prince Willy, inspiring countless private moments amongst a whole new generation of young male red-blooded red-rinsers.

Top Five Red Male Horns

• Prince Harry (royalty)
• Nicky Butt (footballer)
• Ewan McGregor (actor)
• Iwan Thomas (athlete)
• David (smote Goliath; sculpted by Michelangelo)

Top Five Actually Gay or Bi Male Red Icons:

• Andy Bell (singer)
• Jimmy Somerville (singer)
• Lord Byron (poet)
• Nero (emperor)
• Tin Tin (cartoon)

For red-heads and their admirers: www.redandproud.com