Growing up in Perth with UK-born parents, Byrne was “actively discouraged” from pursuing his interest in the performing arts, in favour of studying science. He feels his job combines both passions.

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“Weather forecasting is storytelling. And it helps people keep safe, or helps them in their business, or just in their day-to-day life, even if it’s just deciding what to wear,” he says. “It’s integral every day to every single human. It matters, and once I’ve done it, tomorrow, I get to do it all again.”

In his capacity as roving weather presenter, he once frocked up while reporting on Melbourne drag company YUMMY, creating an alter ego named Gail Warnings.

“Gail hasn’t been asked to appear this Mardi Gras, but who knows?” he says, laughing. “She’s very diva-ish. She needs an army of people to get her ready, and that army hasn’t been called to battle. So far, she was a once off, but I never say never. I’m 100 per cent for seeing a bit more of Gail. I have plans for her in the future.”

Byrne intends to take in as much of Sydney WorldPride as possible before he returns to his post at the weather chart in ABC’s Melbourne studios.

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“The Pride March [on Sunday, March 5, from 7-10am] is going to be a standout – just wave after wave of people walking across Sydney Harbour Bridge with pride and joy,” says Byrne. “There are so many events. The work of (Indigenous artist) Dylan Mooney (at N. Smith Gallery in Paddington), is something I can’t wait to see. The drag shows. It’s going to be a beautiful rainbow mix of joy … There’s also a human rights conference (March 1-3 at Sydney’s International Convention Centre), so not only is WorldPride a way to celebrate who we are, but it’s also a way to keep making the world a better, safer place for LGBTQIA+ people.”

The 45th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is broadcast live on Saturday, February 25, 7.30pm, ABC.

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