RuPaul’s Drag Race UK release date confirmed

RuPual with a shocked look on her face

The BBC has let slip when RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will start.

While announcing that Michelle Visage will compete in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC also revealed when RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will arrive on BBC iPlayer.

The eight-part series will start in October, it was confirmed.

Visage will be joined on the show by RuPaul, along with rotating judges Alan Carr and Graham Norton and a cast of special guest judges including Cheryl Cole, Spice Girl Geri Horner and model Twiggy.

Geri Horner (L) and Jade Thirlwall (R)

Geri Horner (L) (Jo Hale/Getty) and Jade Thirlwall (R) (David M. Benett/Getty)

Little Mix singer and all-round ally Jade Thirwall will also appear, as will Game of Thrones actor Maisie Williams and Angels in America star Andrew Garfield.

Lorraine Kelly and Stavey Dooley will appear on the Snatch Game, which is rumoured to be among the best ever recorded.

Strictly favourite AJ Pritchard and his brother, Love Island’s Curtis will be on hand as dance experts, with singer MNEK also set to appear as vocal coach.

The series will reportedly follow the same format as the original, with a cast of ten British queens competing in sewing, singing and acting challenges.

RuPaul has said that she is “beyond excited to celebrate the massive charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of the Queen’s queens.”

Visage added: “We’ve been working tirelessly to bring the magic of RuPaul’s Drag Race to my favourite city in the world: LONDON!”

“I KNOW the UK has a wealth of talent to offer and I’m thrilled beyond belief to see these queens battle it out on the main stage, UK style! GOD SAVE THE QUEENS!”

The series’ October release date means that it will coincide with Visage’s turn on Strictly Come Dancing 2019.

BBC bosses confirmed that Visage will take part in the ballroom competition on Monday (August 5).

Visage said: “Getting to do Strictly in my favourite place on Earth is an actual DREAM,” she said.

“I’m so excited to show that being 50 doesn’t mean life stops. Things may not work like they did when I was 20, but 50 also means ‘FABULOUS!’

“There are plenty of women like me out there who still got it and we still plan to use it, so slap on the sequins, point me to the dance floor and watch me Paso my Doble!”