La Voix, Bimini and more RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars speak out after BBC axe

RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars including La Voix, Bimini and Tia Kofi have taken to social media following news that the BBC has opted not to proceed with any more series. The current eighth season is continuing on BBC Three and iPlayer, but will mark the franchise's last outing with the broadcaster.

While the good news is that the show will continue with its first UK All Stars offshoot over on streaming network WOW Presents Plus, the BBC's sashay away has sparked an outpouring of reflection.

Season two icon Bimini said they are "actually so sad", but credited their experience on the show with the fact they "get to do this for a living at all".

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They wrote on Instagram: "That show was on in living rooms where drag was not welcome, and it changed something in those living rooms. At a time when queer and trans people in this country are being legislated about and shouted about more than ever, that matters. It still does.

"To every queen who came through those doors and everyone who ever watched: thank you. Drag was here before the telly. It’ll be here after."

La Voix, who was a runner-up in series six and went on to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, said they have been "thinking about just how much this wonderful show has given me".

"[More] than anything, I loved being part of something that has given so many incredible performers a platform and opened doors that might otherwise have stayed firmly shut," they added. "I’m incredibly grateful for everything that came from that show and platform, I wouldn’t be were [sic] I am today if it wasn’t for this show."

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Tia Kofi, who competed with Bimini in season two before going on to win RuPaul's Drag Race: UK Vs The World, posted: "This show has catapulted drag into the pop culture zeitgeist and created careers for so many, myself included.

"Fans of Drag Race - remember there is drag in the real world. Not just drag queens! You can go to see shows in real life! There are a huge range of drag events that are accessible to all. If there isn’t one accessible to you, let’s make it happen!"

Last year's hopeful Catrin Feelings said they "will always be so [grateful]" for "this life changing experience", while A'Whora advised: "I know the news is sad, but let's celebrate what this show has done for us! The opportunities it has given so many of us, life changing careers and moments that live on forever that I will never take for granted!"

Last night, the BBC confirmed to Digital Spy in a statement that "some very difficult choices" had to be made with regards to the program's future.

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"As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly," a spokesperson said.

"We can therefore confirm together with World of Wonder, that RuPaul's Drag Race UK will be leaving the BBC and moving to WOW Presents Plus," the statement continued.

"The BBC is incredibly proud of all eleven series of this groundbreaking show and we would like to thank RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen. We are certain that viewers will enjoy the eighth series, which is currently airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three."

RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 8 airs on BBC Three and iPlayer. All previous seasons of Drag Race UK and Drag Race UK vs The World remain available to stream on iPlayer.

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Shaun is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, with over a decade of experience reporting on all things pop culture. He has written for outlets including Metro, Attitude, Huffington Post, The Mirror, Yahoo!, Pink News and Express Online, specialising in TV, movies, soaps, music and LGBTQ+ issues. He is also a BAFTA Rocliffe-winning scriptwriter, having written episodes of the soap Hollyoaks, the official Steps musical Here & Now and multiple Offie Award-nominated plays. He studied English Literature and Drama at the University of East Anglia, and will happily talk at length about Desperate Housewives to anyone who'll listen.