Drag Race UK season 3 release date: queens, guest judges and when the show is back

Hosted by drag extraordinaire RuPaul, Drag Race UK will kick off with 12 fabulous queens, all of whom will be tested on their design, acting, singing, comedy, presenting and lip-syncing skills as they battle it out to become the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar.

Confirming season three, RuPaul said: "We feel honoured that you’ve embraced our little show, and our only wish is that we can offer a smile at a time when we can all use it the most."

Fiona Campbell, Controller of BBC Three, added: "It’s been a huge hit for us and we love it as much as you do so we’re delighted that we can continue our relationship with World of Wonder and can bring even more Drag Race to BBC Three.”

Casting for the new season has already taken place with applications opening last November.

Here's everything we know so far about Drag Race UK season three.

Is Drag Race UK returning for season 3?

Yes! The BBC announced back in November 2020 that Drag Race UK would officially be back for a third season.

The search for a new line-up of contestants had already begun back then, with applications opening at the end of last year and shutting on 14 November – so hopefully that means we won't have to wait too long until Drag Race is back on our screens.

Drag Race UK season 3 release date

While the BBC has not yet announced an official release date for seasons three, we know casting for the season closed back in November so production should hopefully be underway.

Season two began filming towards the start of 2020 and while production was halted in March due to COVID-19 before resumed in the autumn, season three shouldn't face the same delay considering part of the second instalment was filmed during the pandemic.

Therefore, RadioTimes.com predicts that season three will be released around the same time of year that the first episodes premiered – October 2021.

Drag Race UK season 3 judges

BBC Three is yet to confirm which famous faces will be appearing on the judging panel, but the show wouldn't be the same without RuPaul so we can almost certainly count on him returning.

Similarly, regular judges Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr are also likely to be back to critique the new line-up of queens, with Norton and Carr alternating each week as they have done for the past two series.

As for celebrity guests, there's no word from the BBC yet as to who'll be dropping by the Drag Race main stage, but it's currently being rumoured that Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock will be appearing as a guest judge. Band mate Jade Thirwall was a big success as a guest star on the first season of Drag Race UK.

The judging roster is likely to be in the same stellar league as the stars who've appeared in season two – Elizabeth Hurley, Sheridan Smith, Lorraine Kelly, MNEK and Dawn French among others.

Drag Race UK season 3 contestants

With season two having just finished, the BBC is yet to announce the line-up for season three but we're likely to see another 12 queens from across the UK make their Drag Race debut later this year.

Although, we may already know one of the season three contestants – Veronica Green, the London-based musical queen who prematurely left this year's competition after testing positive for coronavirus.

RuPaul revealed in season two's fifth episode that she'd given Veronica an open invitation to return to the competition in the next series, however Veronica Green told RadioTimes.com in February that she hadn't yet decided whether to take part in season three.

"I'm going to sit on it until the last second, I've not made my decision," she said in her Drag Race Debrief interview.

Who won Drag Race UK previously?

The first season of Drag Race UK, which aired back in October 2019, saw Liverpudlian queen The Vivienne take home the crown, while Divina De Campo and Baga Chipz placed second and third respectively.

Season two saw Glaswegian queen Lawrence Chaney was named the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar, with runners up including Bimini Bon Boulash and Tayce. Lawrence was thrilled, after a lip sync to Elton John’s I’m Still Standing secured the victory. “This is insane! It’s incredible. Scotland babes, I brought the crown home."

Both seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race UK are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.