The BBC has been accused of axing shows for marginalised audiences after announcing that it will no longer be airing RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. The UK version of the hit US export launched on BBC Three in 2019. It has provided a platform for drag stars who have gone on to be hugely popular with wider audiences, including Strictly Come Dancing contestant La Voix, Celebrity Big Brother runner-up Danny Beard and musician Bimini.
In a post on the show’s Instagram page, the BBC has now announced that the current, eighth main season of Drag Race UK will be its last. Future series, as well as its international all-star spin-off, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World, will be broadcast on streaming platform Wow Presents Plus. The news has been met with dismay by many fans and former contestants.
Tia Kofi – who appeared on the second main series and went on to win spin-off RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World – argued that dropping the programme “feels very counter” to the BBC’s promise to represent diversity. Appearing on Radio 4’s Today programme, which has also been impacted by BBC cuts, Kofi highlighted that the BBC has also called time on dating shows I Kissed A Boy and I Kissed A Girl, and gameshow The Rap UK, which provided a platform for up and coming rap stars. Kofi said: “I think the mistake is that they seem to be dropping programmes that they consider to be for more niche audiences which I don’t think makes a lot of sense, because those niche audiences are the ones that are staying on and watching these things.” “The more marginalised audiences have limited representation in UK media,” she continued.
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Kofi’s disappointment has been echoed by fellow season two contestant Bimini, who said in a post on X: “Drag Race UK is leaving the BBC. I'm actually so sad about this.” Reflecting on their time on Drag Race UK, Bimini added: “Something happened in that room I've never been able to explain to anyone who wasn't in it. You don't realise how incredible we had it at the time.
The fact I get to do this for a living at all. I'll be grateful for the rest of my life and I mean it. At a time when queer and trans people in this country are being legislated about and shouted about more than ever, that matters.
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