Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Ashleigh Rainbird

Michelle Visage told ex Strictly partner Giovanni his Lion King outfit was 'ridiculous'

It’s quite something when even the campest Drag Race star says an outfit is “ridiculous”...

Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice were voted off Strictly after performing Hakuna Matata from The Lion King dressed as Timon and Pumbaa, in outfits Richie said made them look like they were on a stag do.

But Michelle Visage, who was partnered with Giovanni in 2019, thought the outfits might help, as she reassured him before the vote.

She says: “I told him, ‘I think the costumes saved you. Although you looked ridiculous’. I thought people would find it charming.”

Michelle said their outfits were 'ridiculous' (Virgin Atlantic)
She reassured him before the votes (BBC/Guy Levy)

Michelle needed surgery after her Strictly stint. She says: “I danced the entire 10 weeks with a torn meniscus.”

But the RuPaul’s Drag Race star, who welcomes Giovanni alongside her on the panel this series, still considers taking part to be “the best decision of my adult life”.

Although that’s before she hosts tonight’s Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, which celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, at the Roundhouse in London.

Get all the biggest showbiz news straight into your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Showbiz newsletter.

Prince and Princess of Wales

They told the public broadcaster they were avid listeners of Radio 1 (PA)

When Wills and Kate popped in to see Auntie at Radio 1 this week, they told the public broadcaster they were avid listeners to the station.

In fact, the Prince and Princess of Wales had enjoyed the Breakfast Show on that morning’s school run, and heard Greg James chatting to TV chef Ainsley Harriott. Thankfully, that particular episode adhered to all three Reith principles.

Michelle Visage told ex-dance partner Giovanni Pernice his Lion King outfit was 'ridiculous' (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

“We asked [Ainsley] if you could poach an egg in the bath,” a delighted Greg recalls. “He said you couldn’t but could possibly poach fish in a warm one.”

Informative and educational, as Lord Reith required.

Ainsley went on to admit to having urinated in his bath, which tickled Greg – and Wills, apparently.

“The future king heard every word,” Greg adds, triumphantly. “And LOVED it.”

And entertaining, too! No wonder it received the royal seal of approval.

Nik and Eva Speakman

Nik and Eva Speakman morphed into the Pussycat Dolls (ITV)

They are experts at changing lives, but it’s not normally this drastic.

During a trip to LA, Nik and Eva Speakman morphed into the Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes, to recreate their video Don’t Cha for This Morning – down a drain. The glamour of Hollywood...

The show’s resident therapists help the group’s Carmit Bachar cope with self image issues before having a bit of fun. “I learnt to dance like a Pussycat Doll in a giant drain in Hollywood,” giggles Eva. “Who gets to do that?” It’s sweet that the drain element impresses her.

Catch The Speakmans in LA LA Land on ITV from 10am today.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.