About Dame Ida
Thomas George Weetman, also known professionally as Dame Ida, is a dynamic and accomplished leader in both the Health and Social Care sector and the performing arts. Aged 32 and based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Thomas brings a unique blend of charisma, compassion, and strategic leadership to every role he undertakes.
His career began at the age of 16 when he left home to work as a Blue Coat entertainer in Southport, quickly igniting a passion for performance and people. By 18, he had secured his first overseas role as Entertainment Manager at a hotel in Corfu, Greece, forming lifelong friendships and gaining invaluable experience in hospitality and audience engagement.
In the Winter season of 2014/15, Thomas transitioned into health and social care, taking on his first role in a nursing home in Malta. Upon returning to the UK, he committed to progressing within the care sector while continuing his passion for the stage. During this period, he starred as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, a role that led to the creation of his drag persona, Dame Ida. He soon joined a cabaret duo and began touring the UK, seamlessly balancing his career in care with his love for live performance.
Professionally, Thomas has built an impressive portfolio of leadership roles, rising through the ranks from Care Assistant and Senior Carer to Deputy Manager, Lifestyle Manager, and Registered Manager across several high-profile care services. Notably, during his time as Registered Manager at Northfield Care Centre, he led the service to achieve a Good CQC rating in just nine months, becoming the youngest manager in the UK to do so. This outstanding achievement led to his promotion to Care Director, where he joined the board of the organisation.
He later served as Head of Engagement and Development at Trust Care and completed a strategic contract with Doncaster Council as Commissioner for One Adoption Yorkshire and Humber. Today, Thomas is the former Chief Executive Officer of Adefey Care Group, where he oversaw high-quality, person-centred care across the North of England. He is now the proud Director of Bennfield House in Doncaster, Founder and Managing Director of Vital Hands a UK Staffing Supplier Platform and Founder and Managing Director of Assisted Living for Young Adults Social Care.
Simultaneously, he continues to perform as Dame Ida, headlining his own international cabaret show, which has toured across the UK and Europe from intimate venues to prestigious five-star hotels and theatres.
Thomas exemplifies what it means to lead with both heart and vision an advocate for excellence in care, a natural entertainer, and a proud ambassador for balancing professional leadership with creative passion.
In April 2025, Thomas married Daniel Weetman, celebrating their love with a beautiful ceremony in the UK. A few months later, they renewed their vows in Sidari, Corfu a place close to both of their hearts surrounded by their friends and family.
The People Behind the Magic
Every great show needs great people behind it, and Dame Ida’s International Cabaret Show is no exception.
Paula Mountjoy – Show Manager
For over 10 years, Paula has been the backbone of this production. The calm in the chaos, the one who keeps everything ticking like clockwork, and quite frankly the reason the show runs as seamlessly as it does. From cueing every moment to managing backstage with absolute precision, Paula is the ultimate behind-the-scenes wizard.
She ensures every entrance is on time, every costume change happens (all 25 of them!), and every element of the show flows exactly as it should. Without Paula, Dame Ida would be completely lost – and that’s not an exaggeration. Her dedication, loyalty, and sheer talent are what keep the show sharp, slick, and professional night after night.
Paula Mountjoy is not only the driving force behind our show, but also a highly respected leader within one of the UK’s largest and most reputable health and social care providers. Her professionalism, organisation, and ability to lead under pressure are second to none, earning her admiration from colleagues and teams across the sector. She brings that same level of excellence, structure, and calm authority into the theatre, which is exactly why everything runs so flawlessly both on and off the stage.
Daniel Weetman – Technical & Front of Stage Manager
Then there’s Daniel, my incredible husband, who quite literally brings the show to life. Managing all lighting and sound, he transforms each performance into something truly spectacular.
From perfectly timed sound cues to dynamic lighting that elevates every scene, Daniel takes the show to another level. He doesn’t just run tech he creates atmosphere, builds energy, and adds that extra layer of magic that audiences feel from the moment the curtain rises.
Working front of stage, he ensures everything the audience sees and hears is flawless, helping to deliver a production that feels polished, professional, and unforgettable.
Daniel Weetman brings the same precision, leadership, and high standards to the show as he does in his professional role as a senior leadership officer within one of the UK’s largest local authorities, where he leads on environmental health and regulation. Trusted to oversee complex responsibilities and make critical decisions, Daniel is known for his professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to deliver at the highest level. That expertise translates seamlessly into the production, where his control of lighting, sound, and front-of-stage operations ensures every performance is delivered with impact, quality, and absolute consistency.
Together, Paula and Daniel are the heartbeat of the show – the reason everything runs smoothly, looks incredible, and feels so special. Without them, there simply wouldn’t be a Dame Ida show as you know it.
Dame Ida? WHO?
Get ready to be dazzled – the sensational Dame Ida is taking the stage by storm with her most spectacular show yet!
From the UK to Spain, Greece to France, Dame Ida is lighting up the map with her glamorous, high-octane, laugh-out-loud spectacular that’s nothing short of a global drag sensation!
Brace yourself for a whirlwind of 25 jaw-dropping costume changes, powerhouse vocals, and a non-stop hit parade featuring your favorite musicals, pop anthems, and irresistible sing-along classics. This isn’t just a show – it’s a full-on celebration.
Packed with outrageous parodies, razor-sharp wit, and just the right amount of cheek, this comedy cabaret extravaganza will leave you howling with laughter and begging for more.
A true master of the stage, Dame Ida brings unmatched charisma, unstoppable energy, and the kind of sparkle that only a seasoned queen can deliver. Whether she’s strutting in sequins or belting out a ballad, she owns every moment.
Don’t miss the diva, the icon, the legend – Dame Ida. This is not just a show… it’s an experience.
Experience
For the past 11 years, Dame Ida has been on a non-stop cabaret crusade and she’s been selling out every single night!
From rowdy working men’s clubs to raucous ladies’ nights, majestic theatres to booming bingo halls, this queen has lit up stages across the UK and beyond with her unstoppable energy, dazzling costumes, and magnetic stage presence.
Her show isn’t just a performance, it’s a full-blown spectacle that’s packed houses from coast to coast, leaving audiences laughing, singing, and screaming for more.
Wherever she goes, Dame Ida delivers drag at its finest – fierce, funny, and fabulously unforgettable. Eleven years. Hundreds of shows. Thousands of fans. One legendary queen.
Dame Ida Official 