Jonathan Ross to Produce UK 'RuPaul's Drag Race'

rupaul ross

In some kind of bizarre second-calling, it has been revealed that Jonathan Ross will host a British version of RuPaul’s Drag Race to be aired on Channel 5 in the UK.

 

Ross bought the rights to produce a UK version of the show last year and is hoping to air the first episode in September. The on-air team will star RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Jodie Harsh and UK Drag Star Paul O’Grady.

According to Ross, he has been working with British Drag Star DJ Jodie Harsh on this show. Last April, Ross told the Daily Star: “I’ve been working with Jodie on a UK version of Ru Paul’s Drag Race. […] Unfortunately we have had to take a break because of some family issues. […] But we’re hoping to pick it up again in the near future.”

Ross is a fan of British-based drag performers, especially those around London, such as Meth from The Meth Lab.

“I love drag and I love Meth – the performer – as well as Betty Bottom Dollar. […] I think it’s a fabulous art. I am a huge fan of RuPaul’s Drag Race.”RuPaul believes that a British host of the version would make more sense, as it would be directed at a British audience, “I think it makes sense if they got an English host with English humor and English drag slang and all that stuff to be the host,” he said.However, Michelle Visage, a judge on the US version, told RuPaul that his involvement would make the UK version a winner.

“He’s a huge fan of the show and he believes what I believe- that people want you.  The people don’t want another drag queen, 100%. And when I told him that you were down to do it, he was like “What?! This changes everything. Absolutely! […] This is the way it’s supposed to be…. There’s a huge following that they don’t want anybody else- they want Ru. And the the third person would be that Brit who would tie it all together. You. Me. Third Brit.”

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