An 11-year-old boy has revealed how dressing as a Drag Queen gives him confidence during an appearance on Wednesday's episode of Loose Women.

Schoolboy Leo Noakes from Leicestershire sashayed into the studio wearing fishnet tights and high heels to show off his alter ego Violet Vixen.

And he told the panel he feels 'more like himself' when dressed in drag, and even offered to do Stacey Solomon's makeup for her.

His mother Leanne said that Leo's interest in drag is not about wanting to change his gender.

Lauren said that for Leo it's not about changing his gender: 'From my ignorance I assumed that that's what he wanted. It's not at all.

'But, actually, he's really open anyway, he really clearly just says, "I'm a boy, I like being a boy, just because I've got a penis doesn't mean I can't wear a dress". He just wants to show everyone it's OK to be different. That's what he taught me.'

Leo's appearance on the show won praise from viewers, who said he looked 'amazing' and called Leanne a 'great mother' for accepting him.

Schoolboy Leo Noakes, 11, revealed his drag queen transformation when he sashayed into the Loose Women studio on Wednesday (pictured)

Leo appeared earlier on in the show dressed in boys' clothes but later came out in a short patterned dress with his hair and makeup done.

He strutted through the studio to the sounds of Lady Gaga's Born This Way and danced for the cheering audience and panel.

Leo said dressing in drag made him feel more confident, though he still identified as a boy.

He said: 'It gives you more confidence you just feel more like yourself.'

Leo began dressing as a girl when he was just a toddler and never grew out of it (pictured in boys' clothes)

Leo, who does his own makeup, says he feels 'more like himself' when dressed up in drag (pictured on the Loose Women panel)

The panel asked him to give them a twirl so he stood up, placed his hand on his hip and flicked his hair.

Leo's mum Leanne said his passion began when he was just a toddler when he would borrow his 10-year-old sister Nelly's clothes.

But she began to worry about her son when he didn't grow out of dressing like a girl.

She said: 'He's always been flamboyant and a big character and he's always been wanting to dress in high heels and dresses and things.

Despite his feminine appearance in drag, Leo says he still identifies as a boy (pictured posing for the Loose Women panel)

His mother Lauren tried to get her son interested in more masculine things but it didn't work (pictured on the show)

'When he was about six people started to say he should have grown out of it by then. I brushed it off at first but it wasn't until a few months after that and it was stewing a little bit, I thought it was time to knock it on the head.'

She initially thought he was interested in girly things because she was a single mother, but his pasison continued after she got together with her current partner.

Leanne threw out a lot of the women's clothes that he'd accumulated from family and friends, and tried to encourage him to have more masculine interests.

Leo developed an interest in cars but when he searched from drag racing online he stumbled across Rupaul's Drag Race, and his interested kick started again.

Lauren says Leo only started to act more flamboyantly when he was bullied. Pictured with Loose Women panelists Jane Moore and Nadia Sawalha)

Leo still dresses in boys clothes in his day-to-day life (pictured in red jeans and t-shirt before his transformation on Loose Women)

Leo has suffered bullying at school because of his love for drag, but his mother revealed the brilliant response to people who criticise him.

She said: 'He says why spend time giving hate to people who aren't harming people and aren't doing anything wrong, when you could embrace it and have fun with them?

'He had the bullying at school, but the more bullying he got the more he did it.'

Leo's appearance on the show was praised by fans, who praised his confidence and sense of style, as well as Leanne's acceptance of her son.

Leo's appearance on the show won praise from viewers on Twitter, who said he looked 'amazing' and called Leanne a 'great mother' for accepting him (pictured)

One tweeted: 'Just seen an 11-year-old boy on Loose Women dressed in drag. BRILLIANT. So pleased that he can be himself and not be restricted by prejudice. Go mum!'

'How cute is this drag queen? What a great mother he has too,' another posted.

A third said: 'I didn't agree with an 11 year old drag queen and dreaded the interview. But seeing that child strut his stuff on stage - he looks so happy and that happiness is priceless.'

'11yo drag queen on Loose Women is giving me LIFE,' another wrote.