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RuPaul won’t be judging Drag Race UK for first time in herstory

Michelle Visage will lead the judges this week with Raven and Boy George making special appearances.

By Alastair James

RuPaul
RuPaul will miss the judging panel on Drag Race Uk for the first time in herstory (Image: Guy Levy/BBC)

RuPaul will be absent from the judging panel in tonight’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK – the first time in herstory!

Instead, Mama Ru’s right-hand woman, Michelle Visage, will fill in for her while Michelle’s position will be filled in by Drag Race fan favourite, Raven.

This marks another herstory-making moment as it means Raven will be the first ever Drag Race contestant to join the judging panel on a series typically hosted by RuPaul.

Obviously, Brooke Lynn Hytes went from season 11 contestant to judging Canada’s Drag Race, but Ru has never hosted that edition of her now global franchise.

At the end of last week’s episode of Drag Race UK, RuPaul is seen introducing this week’s makeover maxi-challenge to the remaining queens.

The trailer also sees Raven entering the werkroom and the queen’s reactions to her.

In a trailer posted by World of Wonder, Michelle Visage can be seen at the head of the runway saying, “Welcome to the main stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control, RuPaul is unable to join us tonight.”

The trailer then shows off Raven and Graham Norton before Boy George struts down the runway. He says, “Drag Race without me is ridiculous”.

A voiceover promises a “shocking elimination no one will see coming,” before Michelle can be seen telling someone to “sashay away”.

In a short teaser Boy George explains that he’s excited to join Drag Race UK.

He also says he loves, “seeing people experiencing what I’ve experienced over the last forty-odd years and literally doing it in front of other people and people applauding them.”

Continuing, he adds, “It’s just exciting to watch it. The world has definitely changed.”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK airs on BBC Three and the Player from 9 pm on Thursdays.