Stephanie Booth: The larger-than-life character who was never far from the headlines

[Guest Nicole]

Stephanie Booth was once in the running to buy Wrexham AFC

Stephanie Booth, one of North Wales' most colourful characters, has died at the age of 70.

Also known as Stephanie Ann Lloyd, the businesswoman and hotelier was regularly in the spotlight during her amazing life and career, even featuring in her own BBC Wales show, Hotel Stephanie.

Originally born Keith Hull to parents who were Jehovah's Witnesses, she had to overcome transgender prejudice following her sex change from family man to female entrepreneur.

As a man, she worked as a director of a FTSE 100 company and became a father of three after marrying at the age of 21.

But, 16 years later in 1983, Ms Booth underwent gender reassignment surgery.

The flamboyant character told how she lost her job and family following the surgery, but was determined to forge ahead with her new identity and life.

Speaking about the gender reassignment, Ms Booth said: “Gender reassignment is a long, painful journey. It solves one painful problem in your life but creates others.”

In the mid 80s, she launched a transgender mail order catalogue and a contact magazine. A transgender hotel was set up in Manchester with a second shop in London.

Ms Booth married David Booth, and they moved from Manchester about 23 years ago to start one of the most respected business partnerships in North Wales.

They had a chain of seven hotels including Bodidris Hall in Llandegla, The Wynnstay Arms in Wrexham, and The Wild Pheasant , The Chainbridge and The Bryn Howel in Llangollen.

In 2008 and 2009, the BBC Wales fly-on-the wall documentary Hotel Stephanie hit the screens, giving a behind-the-scenes look at the larger-than-life character.

In 2011, Ms Booth was in the running to buy crisis-hit Wrexham AFC , but the club eventually came under the stewardship of the Wrexham Supporters Trust.

Later that year, Ms Booth's business went through troubled times when a chain of hotels run by her went into administration.

Ms Booth died at the age of 70 after a tractor crash at a farm on the outskirts of Corwen on Sunday night.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/stephanie-booth-larger-life-character-11907389