Dawn French, Natalie Cassidy, Maya Jama and Jessie Ware have joined the star-studded guest line-up for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 2.
The foursome join Elizabeth Hurley, Sheridan Smith, Lorraine Kelly, MNEK and Jourdan Dunn on the new series, which showcases the country’s most sensational drag queens in a bid to be crowned the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar.
Taking to Twitter on Sunday, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK revealed that Dawn, 63, Maya, 26, and Jessie, 36, would be celebrity judges on the upcoming season which starts in January.
Yay! Dawn French (pictured in October), Natalie Cassidy, Maya Jama and Jessie Ware have joined the star-studded guest line-up for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 2
While EastEnders icon Natalie, 37, will be making a cameo alongside DJ Jodie Harsh, RuPaul’s Drag Race star Raven and choreographer Jay Revell.
The hit BBC One show tweeted: ‘The Christmas presents aren’t stopping. Excited to announce that @Dawn_French , @MayaJama and @JessieWare will all be judges on the next series of #DragRaceUK.’
To which Maya re-tweeted and added: ‘The way I love this show [excited emojis] Can. Not. Wait!!!!’
While Jessie put: ‘I’m gonna be a guest judge on @dragraceukbbc ! Dreams do come true!!!!! Had such a great time with them. The Queens are [fire emoji] you’re going to LOVE them x .’
Amazing: Maya, 26, left, and Natalie, 37, right, join Elizabeth Hurley, Sheridan Smith, Lorraine Kelly, MNEK and Jourdan Dunn on the new series
Amazing: Jessie, 36, pictured in March, will also serve as a guest judge on the show, which showcases the country’s most sensational drag queens in a bid to be crowned the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK added in a different tweet on Monday: ‘Exciting news, huns. @JodieHarsh , @Nat_Cassidy , @RavenHunty and Jay Revell are all going to be making extra special cameos on series two of #DragRaceUK.’
Fans were left delighted over the news as they excitedly exclaimed that it could be the ‘best season ever’.
One person said: ‘Umm pretty sure this is gonna be the best season ever.’
A different fan put: ‘@Dawn_French as a Drag Race judge?! I might flip completely the f**k out. Can you hear me joyously screaming about this all the way from Las Vegas? The watch party is being scheduled right now.’
The hit BBC One show tweeted: ‘The Christmas presents aren’t stopping. Excited to announce that @Dawn_French , @MayaJama and @JessieWare will all be judges on the next series of #DragRaceUK.’
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK added in a different tweet on Monday: ‘Exciting news, huns. @JodieHarsh , @Nat_Cassidy , @RavenHunty and Jay Revell are all going to be making extra special cameos on series two of #DragRaceUK.’
Excitement: Fans were left delighted over the news as they excitedly exclaimed that it could be the ‘best season ever’
Another follower commented: ‘Absolutely buzzing!!!!! Can you not just start streaming them now?’
While a different account added: ‘Yesss yes yesss YES YESSS YESSSSSSSSSSSS.’
The celebrities will join RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton, and Alan Carr on the judging panel as the queens serve their finest looks.
Only recently, Liz, who was announced as a guest judge earlier this month, said of her new role: ‘My whole family is obsessed with the show and would have disowned me if I hadn’t said yes to being a judge.
‘I am in awe of Ru Paul and couldn’t take my eyes off him.’
You better work! Only recently, Liz Hurley, who was announced as a guest judge earlier this month, said of her new role: ‘My whole family is obsessed with the show and would have disowned me if I hadn’t said yes to being a judge’ (pictured in 2017)
Speaking of her time as a judge, she added: ‘I like the ladies to look magnificent and make me laugh, so anyone who achieved that got my vote.’
The Austin Powers star also cheekily admitted her Drag name would be: ‘Betty Bang Bang.’
Actress and Drag Race superfan Sheridan, 39, will join the panel for the music and dance week, while Lorraine, 61, returns to the panel for a fun TV segment challenge.
Cilla actress Sheridan said: ‘That was amazing! I am such a superfan! I’m shaking! Ru was sat next to me! And Michelle Visage! And Alan Carr! It’s been amazing. The queens are fabulous. I had the best day. I felt like I’d won a competition.’
Talented: Actress Sheridan Smith and singer MNEK will also join the panel as celebrity judges
The star, who welcomed son Billy in May, added that viewers should look out for her ‘fangirling and my massive pregnant belly!’
Head & Heart hitmaker MNEK, 26, is also making his return to the show after becoming the celebrity guest vocal coach last year.
Finally, supermodel Jourdan, 30, will impart her knowledge of the catwalk as she helps the Queens work the runway.
Here she is: Supermodel Jourdan Dunn, 30, will impart her knowledge of the catwalk as she helps the Queens work the runway
TV legend: Lorraine Kelly, 61, returns to the panel for a fun TV segment challenge
Fashion powerhouse Jourdan Dunn lends her catwalk expertise to the queens of series two, imparting the knowledge she’s gained from decades in the industry, as the Queens werk the runway.
The line-up for the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK was unveiled earlier this month.
In a tweet, the BBC confirmed the popular show, which sees judges RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr crown one contestant a UK Drag Race Superstar, will start from January 14 at 7PM, available to watch on iPlayer.
In the running for the coveted title are Tayce, Joe Black, A’Whora, Tia Kofi, Ellie Diamond, Sister Sister, Veronica Green, Bimini Bon Boulash, Ginny Lemon, Asttina Mandella, Cherry Valentine, and Lawrence Cheney.
Line-up: (L-R) Tayce, A’Whora, Ellie Diamond, Asttina Mandella, Joe Black, Cherry Valentine, Tia Kofi, Ginny Lemon, Veronica Green, Sister Sister, Bimini Bon Boulash and Lawrence Chaney have been unveiled as the queens competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series two
This upcoming edition will see the queens compete in weekly challenges, where their lip syncing, fashion sense, sewing, humour, singing, make-up, acting and dancing will be put to the test for ten weeks.
Following the franchise’s mantra, the group will be assessed on their Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent, before the bottom two queens will be asked to lip sync to save their position in the competition.
RuPaul, 60, and Michelle, 52, will be joined by comedians Alan, 44, or Graham, 57, on a rotational basis, while an extra special celebrity guest judge will sit on the panel each week.
‘Santa called and said you can have one present early!’ In a tweet shared earlier this month, BBC confirmed the popular show will start from January 14 at 7PM, available to watch on iPlayer
They’re back! The series will see judges RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton (pictured together in 2019) and Alan Carr crown one contestant a UK Drag Race Superstar
Last month, it was announced that the show has also been renewed for a third season.
Talking about the exciting announcement, RuPaul said: ‘Looking forward to better days! I’m happy to announce the triumphant return of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
‘We’re also currently casting season three with the best and the brightest Great Britain has to offer.
‘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.’
The first series saw 10 contestants put through their paces as they took part in weekly challenges in the bid of earning a RuPeter badge and showing the best of British drag. With the bottom two contestants fighting for their spot in a lip sync battle.
Star-studded: The first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK had a collection of A-lister celebrity judges, including Little Mix’s Jade Thirlwall and Geri Horner (L-R)
Glitzy appearances: The first series also saw musician Cheryl take to the judging panel
The Vivienne was crowned the first-ever UK Drag Race Superstar with Divina De Campo and Baga Chipz as runner-ups.
The first series saw celebrity guest appearances from Geri Horner, Cheryl, Jade Thirlwall, Stacey Dooley, Lorraine Kelly and Michaela Coel – to name a few.
While the popular series has had an impressive 15.6 million requests on iPlayer so far.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is available to stream on Stan in Australia
You’re a winner, baby! The Vivienne was crowned the first-ever UK Drag Race Superstar