A Conversation on identity, stress and the fun side of crossdressing AI playing the part of Breakfast TV

This fictional interview with the B'b imagines what it would be like for Davina—my crossdressed self—to appear on morning television, seated on the cozy studio sofa of BBC Breakfast alongside the stunning and always gracious Sally Nugent.

Funny how Dr Harper loses his beard in the AI generated image then gets it back lol - I'd have likes my lips a bit more pronounced and red too

As we discuss the emotional and mental benefits of crossdressing, Dr. Harper, a psychologist specializing in gender and mental health, joins to offer deeper insights. It’s a playful, honest, and heartfelt look at professionals with stressful jobs and family lives using crossdressing for a temporary escape from life.

[Scene: BBC Breakfast Studio – Off Camera as regional news is broadcast]

Sally Nugent and I meet at 04:00, arriving as male me a bit of stubble, not yet shaved and transformed and we're introduced to one another next meeting as Sally and Davina fully transformed and made over by the B's finest make up artists at around 07:15 just before the segment.

She’s as radiant in person as she is on screen—elegant in a navy dress, black tights, and heels. We share a warm hug like two women reconnecting, and I can’t help but feel a mix of admiration and nerves.

Her perfume is soft and sophisticated. She smiles and says warmly, "You look absolutely gorgeous, Davina, I'd have never recognised male you is Davina from meeting you earlier this morning.. relax this will go well"

I smile. "That means the world coming from you, Sally I am a bit nervous outing myself to the nation in disguise as Davina but ready"

The agreement is I'll appear as a crossdresser, as Davina - A professional working man with a stressful job, name and identity protected, would anyone seeing me on TV as Davina guess who male me is.. That adds to the suspense and the fun as I've not told friends or family I'll be on BBC Breakfast for this interview..

[On Camera – Interview Begins]

Sally:“Good morning. Today we’re joined by someone with a possibly unique and heartfelt story, maybe not as unique as we think. 'Davina' as a man is a professional, a husband, and a father—and also a proud crossdresser. She’s here to talk about how crossdressing has become an emotional escape in her busy stressful male life.. Her male identity isn't being shared or her occupation but I'm sure seeing her on the Breakfast sofa you'll agree she presents well as a woman and having seen her as a man it would be hard to distinguish Davinas true identity.. Welcome Davina”

Davina:“Thank you, Sally. It’s pretty surreal being here dressed like this, usually by now I'm into my morning emails watching you on the TV.”

Sally:“You look absolutely flawless, by the way.”

Davina:(Laughing) “That’s thanks to your makeup team”

Sally:“Well it’s working—you also smell incredible, I must get that perfume name from you after the interview. And I must say, I’m a bit jealous of your legs!” A great ice breaker to steady any nerves Davina may be feeling..

Davina:(With a cheeky grin) “Well, I’ll admit—some mornings when you’re on screen in heels and a classy dress, it definitely sparks something in me seeing your legs and heels. It’s sometimes something that triggers a crossdressing day.. Wow Sallys legs.. here comes the urge.. is there opportunity .. check my work schedule no TEAMS meets Yay I can dress and spend maybe 4 or 5 hours working from home as Davina”

Dr. Harper:“That kind of visual trigger is very real. For many crossdressers, certain aesthetics—fabrics, styles, even makeup—serve as emotional catalysts. It’s not just about appearance; it’s about connection and identity.”

Sally:“So Davina, how did this all begin for you?”

Davina:“It started very privatelyas a kid then teen—just wearing lingerie in secret. I never imagined I’d one day be presenting fully as Davina, my wife helped trigger that not knowing I was a crossdresser she asked to playfully dress me as a woman, put makeup on me I picked a dress etc and she made me look incredible and from there the urge wasn't just to dress it was to try to look like a woman. Over the years, especially after coming out to my wife, I evolved into this fuller version 'Davina' presenting fem or not at all. It's somehow helped me cope with stress. Being Davina has became a release valve from the pressure of work, parenting, and life which viewers will probably be saying what no way that works.. but it does not just for me but for many men crossdressing in secret behind closed doors and blinds.”

Dr. Harper:“That’s not uncommon. For many, this expression becomes a vital form of emotional regulation, a stressful male life, something as simple as crossdressing can give a connection to suppressed feelings or emotions most men bottle up and deny themselves or hide away through fear of being thought less manly and that can be dangerous for a mans mental health .”

Sally:“Did it change your relationship with your wife?”

Davina:“Yes, and I have to give her so much credit. Her acceptance allowed Davina to really flourish although I don't think she intended that to happen but it's now our secret and well I'm on TV some may guess my identity but I hope if they listen they may see why I and so many others do this. She doesn't know I'm on here sorry to say she may even miss this as watching Suzannah on the other channel.. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s brought us closer in some ways and it would have been so hard if i had to keep this a total secret from her. It's still sometimes hard to talk about which can be frustrating as this is something I need to sometimes talk about”

Dr Harper: It can be theraputic to talk about crossdressing with someone else, to get this off your chest.. to feel free and unjudged by someone admitting you crossdress and exploring the why, how it benefits you, helps with mental health struggles and helps someone relax and entertain those more female related emotions, thoughts and feelings that men are brought up to shun and push away from.

Sally:“Was it hard to go public today?”

Davina:“Incredibly. The risk of people recognising me, how they'd react, what they'll think of me and my wife, how it may affect the kids.. There’s so much stigma. People associate crossdressing with sexuality, kink, perversion, or confusion. I get it—it doesn’t seem ‘normal.’ But it’s deeply personal, and when you experience the mental clarity and enjoyment it brings, it makes perfect sense, it does no harm to dress and look like this temporarily for the benefits it brings me. Here I am on the TV part of me hoping someone will say is that?.. no it can't be? and that's something else.. you can change your image and blend in you don't have to stand out in public or draw attention to yourself .. just accepted - The benefits for me of mental health.. why / how who cares if it works, stress release, and just enjoyment how / why? who cares please just accept this harmless hobby / trend / thing works for some of us and doesn't change who we are.. I'm still a manly mans man and I have this escape its hard to explain but it's nothing to worry about or be scared of”

Dr. Harper:“Stigma often silences people. But when someone like Davina and who she is as a man shares her story, it shows how empowering and healthy this form of expression can be for her and thousands of other men and she's right it is hard to explain how crossdressing has such a positive benefit for men especially those who just want to crossdress, they don't want to transition they're happy to return to being the father and husband and that workinig professional just using crossdressing as their escape the same as another man may find solace and relaxation in golfing, or going to the pub for a drink. It's not a perversion for most”

Sally:“So what’s next for you, Davina?”

Davina:“I don’t want to go full-time and transition into a woman, which is one of my wifes fears, but I do dream of having more freedom to be Davina when I need her and a hope for more understanding from society on what Crossdressing is and isn't. Whether that’s a quiet evening or a weekend away or working from home behind closed doors and blinds as Davina, I'm not one to flaunt my crossdressing publicly or make a spectacle of myself, I aim to look classy and blend in if i'm out in public crossdressed or posting a photo on line, it's a private thing for me but it would just be easier if it was more understood and not stigmatised. It brings me balance and happiness I enjoy the transformation and just chilling presenting like I am today.. If i could have the BBC makeup team whenever i needed them it would be even better. I also want to help lift the stigma as mentioned. Crossdressing can be normal, fun—even therapeutic.”

Sally:“You’ve already helped so many through your forums, haven’t you?”

Davina:“I have. i used to have a blog pre 2017 it became pretty big, lots of readers documenting my rise as a crossdresser through education and relationships, marriage etc but also had a Q&A section and it got too big.. So since 2017 I’ve run a forum supporting crossdressers and their partners. Wives and girlfriends often reach out, scared or confused. And just hearing, ‘You’re not alone,’ changes everything along with lots of life learnt advice and knowledge being a crossdresser. Maybe one day I’ll write a book—something honest, and uplifting about life as a crossdresser and what that's brought me in my life, the struggles, the guilt and overall the realisation I'm not doing anything wrong.. concluding i actually enjoy this and it's my escapism”

Dr. Harper:“I’ve read Davinas latest individual blog and her forum. And I think it could maybe has change lives, a blend of years of experience crossdressing, it takes away any perversion, any sexuality or sexual elements and just shows many t-girls and wives life experiences with crossdressing open, honest and raw. Davina could definitely author a good book on the subject”

Sally:“Well, I think you’re inspiring, Davina. Thank you for sharing your story with us today.”

Davina:“Thank you for having me. It’s been unforgettable.”

Closing Thoughts

This interview may be fictional—'for now'—but the feelings behind it are real.

For every Davina out there navigating identity in silence, I hope this offers some light.

We all deserve a little escape. A little joy. And a world kind enough to understand it.

Davina