Big names announced as RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 7 celebrity guest judges
Ru-joice, hunties! The wigs are dusted, the engines are revving, and the runway is about to heat up once more. The award-winning and much-loved RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC Three this autumn, promising fierce fashion, jaw-dropping challenges, and a glittering line-up of celebrity guest judges.
This internationally renowned competition series will once again spotlight the very best of British drag. Twelve brand-new queens are stepping into the werkroom, ready to deliver heart, humour, and high drama as they compete for the crown. Mama Ru is back at the helm with her trademark twists and turns, joined on the judging panel by Alan Carr, Graham Norton and Michelle Visage. Together, they’ll be on the hunt for the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar.
The upcoming series is stacked with a dazzling roster of special guests from music, comedy, acting, and beyond:
Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (actor, Derry Girls)
Jane Horrocks (actor and Absolutely Fabulous star)
Joel Dommett (TV presenter and comedian)
Mazz Murray (singer, actor, West End powerhouse)
Michelle de Swarte (actor and comedian)
Mutya Buena (singer-songwriter and original Sugababe)
Nadine Coyle (singer and Girls Aloud icon)
Sophie Willan (comedian, actor and writer)
Susan Wokoma (actor, Chewing Gum)
Also joining are radio host and podcaster Jordan North as a super-special guest, and acclaimed choreographer Claudimar Neto, returning to put the queens through their paces on the dance floor.
Further transmission details—and more surprise celebrity appearances—will be “Ru-vealed” very soon.
Here’s what some of the VIPs had to say about their time on the Drag Race runway:
Jamie-Lee O’Donnell said: “Being a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK was on my bucket list, and the experience was absolute magic! The incredible talent of the queens completely blew me away, and sharing the panel with Mama Ru, Michelle, and Alan was a proper bit of craic too. I can't wait to see the finished product and the rest of the season!”
Jane Horrocks said: “I loved being on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. All the queens were super talented. I wanted them all to win!”
Joel Dommett said: “IM BAAACK BCHESSS! Can I say that? I’ll pop some asterisks in it. You can say any st using asterisks. Anyway - Guesting on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK once is a dream, but TWICE?! It’s the best fun. It’s like drag Disneyland. I can’t wait to watch me watching it all!”
Mazz Murray said: “I felt like the Supercar Blondie of Drag Race – Queens, start your engines!”
Michelle de Swarte said: “Nothing has come even close to spending a day doing what I have trained to do my whole life, JUDGE! And with the best to ever do it, Ru, Michelle and Graham. This season Drag Race is bringing you everything every fan wants, drama, fashion, runway looks to die for, and the kind of complicated relationships that make you happy the days are shorter and the nights are longer! ENJOY”
Mutya Buena said: “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is one of my favourite shows. It was an honour to be asked to be a panellist! I absolutely loved it”
Nadine Coyle said: “Having been a guest for season three's Snatch Game (and impersonated by the one and only Charra Tea on season six's Snatch Game!), it's such a dream come true to be a guest judge on this season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK! What an incredible experience to see the immense talent and creativity from the queens, and it was a joy to sit on the judges panel with Michelle, Graham, and the spellbinding RuPaul! You're all in for a treat!”
Sophie Willan said: "I had an absolutely fabulous time as a guest judge! What a bunch of gorgeous, talented queens - I laughed, I gasped, I got very emotionally invested - the dream gig!"
Susan Wokoma said: “The drag-shaped-Bat-signal finally appeared and I was READY! Absolutely beside myself to be joining Michelle, Alan and Ru for Series 7. PINCH ME!”
Jordan North said: “I don’t think any of my friends or colleagues have believed me when I’ve told them I’m going to be on the latest series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, so now here’s the proof I’m going to be on the show! I’m not going to lie, being in the presence of Ru was an absolute joy but at the same time completely nerve wracking! I can’t wait for fellow fans to see the new series. I just know they are going to love it.”
Claudimar Neto said: “Seven seasons in and the magic of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK still gives me goosebumps. The queens continue to inspire me with their passion, power and individuality - and this year, I poured all that energy into choreography that truly celebrates who they are. I’m so grateful to stand once again with this incredible community, spreading love and authenticity one step (or lip sync) at a time. Shantay, we all slay!”
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is produced by World of Wonder for BBC iPlayer and BBC Three, commissioned by Fiona Campbell (Controller, BBC iPlayer and Youth Audiences) and Kalpna Patel-Knight (Head of Entertainment at the BBC). Executive producers include Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Bruce McCoy, Matt Green and Johnni Javier, with Ruby Kuraishe serving as BBC Commissioning Editor.
Fans can already “Meet the Queens” on BBC iPlayer—and don’t forget to add RuPaul’s Drag Race UK to your Watchlist.