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.
open image in galleryAppearing 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. “So having programmes like these offer people a platform when they wouldn’t have that.
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“Representing the diversity of the UK is part of the BBC’s charter, so dropping the shows feels very counter to that.”
When contacted by The Independent for comment, the BBC repeated its previous statement on the decision.
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.”
open image in galleryReflecting 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. I miss it. I miss them. You don’t realise how incredible we had it at the time. So grateful.
“Everything I have came from that. 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.
“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.”
open image in gallerySeason six runner-up La Voix said in a post on Instagram: “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.
“I’m incredibly grateful for everything that came from that show and platform, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for this show.
“I know the show will live on, on WOW Presents UK, but it’s a loss to not have this represented on main terrestrial tv!”
Meanwhile, fans have labelled the decision “diabolical”, adding that Drag Race UK has been “so vital to so many queer individuals who found home in the show”.
It comes as the BBC is attempting to make £500 million in savings over two years.
In an internal note sent to staff earlier this year, chief content officer Kate Phillips outlined the proposed savings, which aim to reduce the corporation’s spend on commissioning by £80 million in the 2027 to 2028 financial year.
Other television shows axed so far include Live At the Apollo and Celebrity Mastermind, while a raft of Radio 4 programmes – including personal finance show Moneybox Live and The World Tonight – will also no longer air.