RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Queens ‘Devastated’ As BBC Axes Show

Less than a week after season eight of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK launched, the BBC has revealed it has pulled the plug on the popular reality TV show.

A spokesperson for the channel said it was facing “very difficult choices” amid “significant financial pressures”, which led to Drag Race UK being axed.

Following the announcement, many queens who found fame on the drag competition show have been paying tribute.

Bimini – a breakout star from its second season two, who has gone on to become an international performer, DJ and political activist – revealed the cancellation has left her “very sad”.

“Something happened in that room I’ve never been able to explain to anyone who wasn’t in it,” she wrote. “I miss it. I miss them. You don’t realise how incredible we had it at the time. So grateful.”

Bimini added: “Everything I have came from that. The fact I get to do this for a living at all. I’ll be grateful for the rest of my life and I mean it.”

The performer ended her statement with a note on how important series like Drag Race are in these turbulent political times, writing: “That show was on in living rooms where drag was not welcome, and it changed something in those living rooms. At a time when queer and trans people in this country are being legislated about and shouted about more than ever, that matters. It still does.”

Her fellow season two queen Tayce commented on Bimini’s post that the BBC’s decision represented the “end of an era”, while winner Lawrence Chaney agreed: “So emotional today! Love you – proud of everything you’ve done.”

Season six finalist and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant La Voix also reminisced on Instagram about leaving the show with “memories, stories, opportunities and, most importantly, some divine friends”.

“I loved every second of it!” she enthused. “The madness, the glamour, the nerves, the laughter and all the fabulous nonsense in between.

“But more than anything, I loved being part of something that has given so many incredible performers a platform and opened doors that might otherwise have stayed firmly shut. I’m incredibly grateful for everything that came from that show and platform, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for this show.

La Voix added her thanks to “everyone who has been part of the BBC Drag Race UK family – queens, crew, producers, judges and everyone behind the scenes”.

Drag Race UK vs. The World champion Blu Hydrangea also spoke in a video on Instagram about the “lovely” time she had working with the BBC, noting that she hopes that the show’s move away from the broadcaster meant future queens could win bigger cash prizes.

She added her hopes that, going forward, the format could be picked up by ITV or Channel 4.

While Drag Race UK is ending its run on the BBC, the franchise will continue on production company World Of Wonder’s streaming service Wow Presents Plus next year, beginning with the first-ever UK-specific season of All Stars.

“This her-storic season will be available virtually globally on Wow Presents Plus and, for the first time, in the UK where members will also be able to stream all eight past seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK plus all three seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World!” a spokesperson said in a statement.

Drag Race UK series eight continues on the BBC, with new episodes coming to BBC iPlayer every Thursday evening.