The BBC has revealed the new ru-cruits judging series six of Drag Race UK.
RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton will all be returning to judge, but as always, they will need some celebs to give them a helping hand.
Alexandra Burke has caught the Drag Race bug after taking part in a Snatch Game last series (Snatch Game is a mock game show where the queens compete in character as an iconic celebrity), and will now be joining the show as the queens’ vocal coach. Her services will be required in iconic challenges such as the Ru-sical and the Girl Group Challenge.
Choreographer Aaron Renfree shot to fame in S Club Juniors, and has since shared stages with Taylor Swift, Little Mix and The Saturdays. Now he’ll be putting the queens through their paces alongside Claudimar Neto. Neto has also performed regularly with Little Mix and has most recently been touring with Girls Aloud.
Now to ru-veal those all-important judges:
Simon Le Bon, MBE
Duran Duran star Simon Le Bon takes a break from his ordinary world to be a drag judge. With Michelle and Ru, he’ll be testing which queen is hungry (like the wolf) for that big win.
Le Bon says: "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.”
Amanda Holden
Amanda Holden and Alan Carr take a break from their renovations in Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job, to sit beside each other on the judging panel. A veteran of Britain’s Got Talent, Holden will be going from judging to reading for filth on the runway.
“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!”
Alison Goldfrapp
Electronic music powerhouse Alison Goldfrapp put out her debut solo album last year, and now she’s ready to judge the girls on the main stage.
“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.”
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight is part of the furniture on the British music scene, and has herself been known to serve a look.
Knight says: “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!”
Kristen McMenamy
Supermodel Kristen McMenamy is back to test which cover girl has the bass in their walk, after wowing audiences with her more than honest commentary last series.
McMenamy says: “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
Derry Girl Siobhán McSweeney moves from competition host in Pottery Throwdown to judge in Drag Race – presumably there will be significantly less tears!
“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.”
Mabel
Normally singer songwriter Mabel asks people not to call her up, but she’s overjoyed to have picked up the phone for Drag Race.
Mabel says: “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!”
AJ Odudu
RTS Bursary Scheme ambassador and Big Brother presenter AJ Odudu previously appeared on Drag Race as a contestant in Snatch Game, and now gets a front row seat for the action.
“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
Representatives from Steps and S Club Juniors in one show? What a treat! Richards appeared previously on Drag Race as a vocal coach with the other members of Steps, but now returns solo to help judge their abilities.
“I had a ball being back with the Drag Race UK family but this time as a guest judge! It was an honour to be on the judging panel alongside RuPaul and see some incredible looks on the runway!”
Drag Race UK Series Six’s release date has not been announced, but it will air on BBC Three and iPlayer later in 2024.