Jonathan Ross: It would be ‘wrong’ for me to host ‘Drag Race UK’
Jonathan Ross has confirmed that he is still working on a British version of RuPaul’s Drag Race – but does not want to present the show himself.
The popular drag-based reality show has become a hit in the US in recent years, with growing audiences leading to rumours of a UK spin-off series.
Presenter Jonathan Ross revealed last April that he is working on a UK version of the show, and drag artist RuPaul backed the plans in July.
Judge Michelle Visage recently joined Celebrity Big Brother UK – leading to rumours that the move was a bid to raise her profile ahead of the UK show.
Jonathan Ross confirmed today that he is still actively “knocking on doors” to find a home for the show – but that he doesn’t want to present it himself.
The host told Attitude: “What I wanted to say was one: that there’s nothing happening right now, and two: I’m still working on it and talking about it!
“I’m a big big fan of the show. I’ve been watching it solidly for about three years now. Nothing’s happening right now, but that’s not for want of trying on my part.
“Hopefully something will happen! I’m knocking on doors and I’ve spoken to at least three channels already.”
“I am not in any way trying to inject myself into the format. If we were to do it, my first desire would be to do it with Ru, who seems up for it.
“If Ru couldn’t do it for whatever reason, we would probably find a UK face to do it, but it wouldn’t be me.
“I am very happy and keen to get something off the ground, so if me being involved in some way will help, then I will happily oblige, but I think I would be completely wrong to host it.
“I could see myself being on it as a guest judge and would happily do anything like that. But this isn’t me trying to say ‘I want to do Drag Race‘.
“I would love Michelle to be involved as well, and hopefully with her her doing so well on Celebrity Big Brother, it can’t hurt.”
The drag competition reality show attracted criticism last ear for a segment in which contestants were asked to guess from a photo whether someone was a ‘biological’ or ‘psychological’ woman.
