RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is returning to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer this Autumn for another round of fabulousity, fun, frolics and fierce fashion
Fans around the world can breathe a collective sigh of ru-lief and rejoice, as we confirm that the much loved, award winning, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is returning to BBC Three and BBC iPlayer this Autumn for another round of fabulousity, fun, frolics and fierce fashion.
The cult competitive reality show is internationally famed for showcasing the best of British drag, its tough challenges, breath-taking showstoppers, big laughs, huge heart and high levels of unpredictability – and this year fans can expect even more! Queen of Queens, RuPaul, has left no room for complacency, promising even more twists, turns and hurdles for a fresh new set of highly competitive Glamazon queens – all of whom are ravenous for the crown.
Judge Supremo, RuPaul presides over the proceedings, joined on the judging panel by their trusty sidekicks, Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Michelle Visage.
In addition, the celebrity superfans continue to clamour to be on the guestlist and this year, we are pleased to Ru-veal that the celebrity guest judges are:
- Singer, songwriter, musician and record producer, Alison Goldfrapp
- TV presenter, Amanda Holden
- Singer, songwriter and actor Beverley Knight
- Lead singer of eighties legends, Duran Duran, Simon Le Bon MBE
- Singer, songwriter Mabel
- Supermodel and fashion icon, Kristen McMenamy
- Actor and presenter, Derry Girls’, Siobhán McSweeney
- TV presenter AJ Odudu
- Singer and Steps member, Claire Richards
Singer-songwriter and Drag Race UK superfan Alexandra Burke returns as a vocal coach to the queens and acclaimed choreographer, Claudimar Neto, also returns for another series to put the queens through their dance paces. Choreographer Aaron Renfree will join the highly talented directory of Drag Race UK experts brought in to give the queens a guiding hand.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is a World of Wonder production for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer commissioned by Fiona Campbell, Controller, BBC iPlayer and Youth Audiences and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers for World of Wonder are Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Bruce McCoy and Johnni Javier and the BBC Commissioning Editor is Ruby Kuraishe.
Transmission details, and Snatch game players for the sixth series will be revealed in due course.
Alexandra Burke
After appearing as a contestant in last season’s Snatch Game, Alexandra fulfilled a dream, but this year her manifestations are fully realised as she returns to give the queens a masterclass in vocals:
“Everyone knows RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is one of my favourite shows in the world! To have been asked back again, this time to mentor the Queens and provide vocal advice, was a joyful experience.
I had such a good time as always… I’m available next year too, I love the show that much!”
Alison Goldfrapp
Alison served Ooh la la on the judging panel:
“I had such a great time as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK! I’m a big fan of the show so it was a lot of fun to join RuPaul and the judges and see the fabulous Queens on the runway.”
Amanda Holden
A long time friend of Alan Carr, and co-star with him on “Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job”, Amanda was keen to join the Drag Race party, and make it a family affair:
“I was utterly thrilled when I was asked to be a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK! It’s been a huge ambition of mine. My daughter Lexi is the biggest fan of the show and I called her as soon as I finished filming as she had a hundred questions for me! I was in awe of RuPaul, and obviously being with Alan Carr and the fabulous Michelle Visage, mixed with the incredible queens and hysterical humour, meant I had the best time!”
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight’s excitement at joining the sisterhood is both soulful and palpable:
“I am so, so, SO excited to be a guest judge on one of the best shows in TV history! Drag Race is iconic, RuPaul is legendary, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton are fabulous. Plus I’ll be entertained by utterly fierce Queens! It’s perfection! Serve me ALL the LEWKS!”
Simon Le Bon, MBE
Duranies around the world will be delighted when the eighties icon, lead singer of Duran Duran, Simon Le Bon, sashays onto the judging panel for the new series of Drag Race UK, and with these glowing words, Shantay, he stays:
“I’ve been ever so slightly OBSESSED with Drag Race since 2009. I can’t tell you how special it was for me to be on the panel with Michelle, Alan and the extraordinary human being – RuPaul. And that’s before I even get to mention the QUEENS in competition. This was one of the biggest highlights in what has been a great year for me.”
Mabel
Let them know, in fact let everyone know, that Mabel is a HUGE Drag Race UK fan!
“I love RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and what everything it represents so to be a part of the show as a guest judge was a dream come true!”
Kristen McMenamy
After having left viewers gagged with her unfiltered commentary on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 5, Kristen is back by popular demand:
“What an honour and thrill it is to be back again in the Drag Race UK judge’s seat. I had more fun and witnessed more fierceness than even the first time around. The Queens were on fire and some of their wardrobe should have been too!”
Siobhán McSweeney
This Derry girl actor is no stranger to competitive throwdown reality TV shows, and Siobhán is glowing with her praise for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. We think Sister Michael would approve too. Can we get an Amen up in here:
“To see the talent of the queens up close was a dream come true let alone being in the presence of the High Queen herself, Ru. Michelle and Alan were so kind and the experience makes me love the show even more.”
AJ Odudu
After AJ’s enthusiastic turn as a Snatch Game player on a previous series, the former Strictly contestant, jumped at the chance to return:
“I’m thrilled to be back on Drag Race UK but this time, on the Main Stage as a guest judge! I’m such a fan of the show and I had the best time!
Claire Richards
Claire is practically Drag Race UK family, having appeared previously as a vocal coach with some of the other members of the legendary Steps. This year, Claire steps up her hun status:
“I had a ball being back with the Drag Race UK family but this time as a guest judge! It was a honour to be on the judging panel alongside RuPaul and see some incredible looks on the runway!”
Claudimar Neto
Claudimar Neto returns as choreographer to the queens.
“I’m thrilled to be returning for what promises to be another epic season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK! The queens never cease to amaze me, and this year, I embarked on a very nostalgic dance journey when choreographing for them! Once again, I’m proud to stand with our community, celebrating authenticity and love.”
Aaron Renfree
Aaron Renfree also joins the party to teach the queens a fabulous routine.
“I had the best time choreographing the Drag Race UK Queens this series! I’m a big fan of the show and RuPaul and it’s always something I’ve wanted to be a part of. I can’t wait for everyone to see the incredible routine we put together!”