Jason Sutton

Jason Frederick Sutton (27 February 1968 – 22 April 2024), also known under his stage name as Miss Jason, was an English actor, comedian, drag artist, pantomime dame, and a community and philanthropic activist.

Career Born 27 February 1968, Jason Sutton began performing in drag at The Old Vic in Portsmouth in the 1990s. told BBC Radio Sussex that, personality wise, "Miss Jason" was very much like Sutton himself.

Sutton often performed at the Two Brewers pub in London, and Brighton (2023). Sutton, who was hosting a pre-parade breakfast at the Brighton Hotel, helped keep the crowd calm while police investigated the package. Sutton then assisted police in evacuating the crowd in an orderly fashion. In February 2016, Sussex Police Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp presented Sutton with a community award acknowledging the help he gave to law enforcement that day. In part, the citation read: Miss Jason displayed great professionalism and helped to ensure a calm and organised evacuation putting the safety of the local community first."

Illness and death In the summer of 2020, Sutton began suffering from issues with his balance and from tinnitus. Physicians discovered he had a tumour adjacent to his ear. The treatment left Sutton deaf in his left ear, and the tinnitus affected his ability to listen and concentrate. An online fundraiser netted £5,678 for hearing aids to help in recovery.

Sutton died after a short illness on 22 April 2024, at the age of 56. He was survived by his partner of over 30 years, Terry Ward.

G Scene Magazine eulogised him as "a giant of our community" and the Brighton Pride organisation called Sutton "An unsung hero of the community..." Daniel Sexton of BBC Radio Sussex called him a "phenomenal" pantomime player.