RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: Graham Norton and Alan Carr join as judges
Graham Norton and Alan Carr, who will be judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. (Stuart C. Wilson/Tim P. Whitby/Getty)
RuPaul has lined up two of TV’s best-loved comedians to join her on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: Graham Norton and Alan Carr.
The comedians and talk show hosts will join Ru and Michelle Visage on the UK iteration of the Emmy Award-winning reality competition, set to air on BBC Three later this year.
Norton, who hosts BBC’s The Graham Norton Show, has previously appeared on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars 2 in 2016.
“Becoming part of the Drag Race family makes me ridiculously happy! I can’t wait to see what the UK drag queens bring to the party, but they better weeeeerk!” said Norton.
Norton will share the role of resident judge on an alternating basis with Carr, who had his own talk show, Chatty Man, on Channel 4. RuPaul appeared on the show in 2017.
The two comedians will alternate each week, sitting alongside RuPaul, Visage and a celebrity guest judge.
“Wow! To be sat next to Michelle Visage and Mama Ru as a guest judge on possibly one of my all-time favourite shows EVER is a dream come true. I can’t wait to see what the UK Queens have got in store — it’s going to be sickening,” said Carr.
RuPaul commented: “I was both shocked and delighted when Graham and Alan told me they’d be wearing tucking panties when sitting at the judges’ table. I told them it was not necessary, but they insisted. Now that’s what I call dedication!”
Drag Race UK is coming
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will consist of eight one-hour episodes and launch on BBC Three later this year.
RuPaul and Visage will scour Great Britain for the UK’s next drag superstar. The competition will feature a series of challenges until one queen is crowned winner.
BBC announced the UK iteration in December.
“I am beyond excited to celebrate the massive charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of the Queen’s queens. And before anyone asks, yes, we would be thrilled to have Meghan Markle join us, as we are already preparing a ‘Royal-Mother-To-Be’ runway challenge,” RuPaul said at the time.
Drag Race has increased in popularity in the US with each passing season.
In 2018, the RuPaul-fronted show won five Emmy Awards including outstanding reality competition for the first time.
