RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is finally sashaying onto BBC One and, in the words of Baga Chipz, it’s much better
RuPaul is heading to BBC One
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has landed a slot on BBC One.
The British reality series, which launched on the public broadcaster’s digital-only streaming channel BBC Three in October, is set to air on TV for the first time.
The first season of the reality contest will air in a late-night slot on Fridays, following on from regular judge Graham Norton’s talk show.
The show’s official Twitter account confirmed: “That’s right, at 23:25 on Fridays you can watch #DragRaceUK on @BBCOne, like it’s the 90s or something.”
Fans are excited for TV debut.
Fans celebrated the increased visibility the show will get from the TV airing.
One wrote: “This time slot is hateful but can we just celebrate that Drag Race being on BBC One is HUGE?!?! So proud ??️?”
Another added: “I hope this upsets some goddamn gammons – good on drag and LGBTQ+ culture getting a slot on BBC One! ??????️??️??️??️?”
Baga Chipz, Divina De Campo and The Vivienne during the final, which aired on BBC Three. (BBC)
Some highlighted that the move is “what they should have been doing from the get-go”, given Drag Race‘s huge following and the high levels of excitement around its first UK series.
Others called for the next season – which is already in production – to be “just put straight on BBC One”, rather than launching on BBC Three.
However, it’s unclear if that will be the case.
Drag Race is kicking up a gear in 2020
Either way, fans will not have long to wait before their next fix – though there’s some confusion over what is coming next and when.
2020 will see the release of Drag Race season 12, All Stars 5 and Drag Race UK season two, plus the launch of Celebrity Drag Race, Drag Race Canada and Drag Race Australia.
The next show in the line-up to air was expected to be All Stars 5 – however, there has been radio silence over the series, despite a traditional mid-January launch date.
Fans have speculated that the show’s launch is being held back to allow Celebrity Drag Race to be first to air in 2020, to be followed by season 12, with All Stars 5 shunted to a later release date.
The celebrity spin-off will see 12 celebrities made over by a bevy of drag royalty, including Alyssa Edwards, Asia O’Hara, Bob the Drag Queen, Kim Chi, Monét X Change, Monique Heart, Nina West, Trinity the Tuck, Trixie Mattel, and Vanessa Vanjie Mateo.
