The popular reality competition RuPaul's Drag Race UK is returning with a fourth series later this month and the queens taking part have finally been unveiled. Twelve brand new fabulous contestants will be making their debut in the Werk Room when the latest BBC Three series starts on September 22.
The fourth series will take place across 10 weeks as the queens battle it out to be crowned the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar. Each week they'll face a range of different challenges and hope they've done enough to impress Mama Ru, who has the ultimate say on who shantays or sashays away.
Returning to the judging panel, alongside Ru, will be Michelle Visage and rotating judges Graham Norton and Alan Carr. As with previous seasons, they will be joined by one extra special celebrity guest judge each week.
It has already been revealed that Dame Joanna Lumley, Alison Hammond, Hannah Waddingham, Boy George, Lorraine Pascale, Mel B, Leomie Anderson, Olly Alexander, FKA twigs are the stars joining as guest judges. Meanwhile they'll also be appearances from Strictly's Giovanni Pernice, Tess Daly and AJ Odudu, comedian and actress Aisling Bea and singer-songwriter Cathy Dennis.
But who are the twelve queen's taking part in this year's series? Here are all the details you need:
- Baby - 25 from South London
"I've been doing drag for about four years now," Baby explained: "I started out performing around clubs around London and Brighton. I was at university in Brighton which is a small city and very queer. So, I learnt how to block my eyebrows throw on a lash, walk in a heel, I bought my first lace front wig and now, here I am. A glamorous queen!"
- Black Peppa - 29 from Birmingham
Black Peppa has been doing drag for two and a half years. "I was working in a bank before I got into drag and then I started doing gigs here and there and started to get bigger gigs in London and Manchester," Black Peppa said: "I realised I could do this for a living! So in 2020, I quit my bank job and that's how Black Peppa became the queen you see today!"
- Cheddar Gorgeous - 38 from Manchester
Cheddar Gorgeous said it's "exciting" to be part of Drag Race UK. "I've been so lucky in my life," Cheddar said: "Drag has allowed me to travel all over the world from LA to Hong Kong and I've worked in the clubs, cabarets, museums and I've put it all over the streets. I've had an absolutely lovely time."
- Copper Topp - 38 from Cheltenham
There are four people who inspire Copper's drag; Victoria Wood, Julie Walters and The Cheeky Girls. "I'm an old school queen," Copper explained: "And I plan on being the campest queen. I love a look... I love jumping into the splits but it's all about comedy and camp and serving it to the world."
Dakota Schiffer - 22 from Sussex
Dakota explained how her drag is a "love letter" to the decades of the 60s and 90s. "I’m generation Z’s answer to Sharon Tate," Dakota said: "I’ve always been intrigued by the 60s and 90’s supermodel era and my number one Hollywood icon is Sharon Tate in Valley of The Dolls and I worship everything she's ever been in – she’s such a style icon to me."
Danny Beard - 29 from Liverpool
"I’m a Ru Girl! I can’t believe it!," Danny Beard said: "I love having a beard, mixing genders and putting them in the blender. My drag is about throwing the rulebook out the window."
Jonbers Blonde - 33 from Belfast
"I'm very inspired by the 70s and I'm very inspired by fashion runways of all eras," Jonbers, who has been doing drag for 14 years, revealed: "High fashion really inspires my every day, but then again, so does 'The Muppets'!"
Just May - 32 from Essex
"I wanted to do drag because Geri stopped being Ginger Spice and so I felt someone had to take over!," Just May explained: "Geri was always my favourite Spice Girl because she was the loud, bold, brash, bossy ginger one of the group and she just spoke to me on so many levels."
Le Fil - 36 from Yorkshire
Le Fil said they take inspiration for their drag "from anywhere and everywhere" adding: "I've covered myself in clay in clingfilm. I've covered myself in mud, trees, anything! The craziest thing I've taken inspiration from is rice! I've made outfits out of rice and sculptures. Steamed, boiled rice... I love it - it’s a big part of my culture. "
Pixie Polite - 29 from Brighton
"Drag is an incredibly powerful thing," Pixie said: "Before I started drag, I wouldn't have said boo to a goose but here I am now and I feel so incredibly confident. It has the power to transform you into the most fabulous version of yourself."
Sminty Drop - 23 from Lancashire
"I am literally the embodiment of contemporary British drag," Sminty said of her drag race look: "My look isn't just beauty pageant glamour. I ‘m so much more than sequins and tight gowns. I’m a fully conceived concept from head to toe."
Starlet - 23 from Surrey
Starlet said it is "amazing" to be part of the Drag Race UK family adding: "I think I'm the most competitive person I know. I've always got to be the best at what I'm doing. People sometimes think, I’m a bitch. I’m not. I'm quite sweet. I blame it on my eyebrows!"
You can watch clips from all the queen's interviews over on the @dragraceukbbc Twitter page. The fourth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will start on Thursday, September 22 over on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer from 9pm.
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