'RuPaul’s Drag Race UK' dropped by BBC after 11 series

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has been axed by the BBC after 11 series due to “significant financial pressures” the broadcaster has confirmed.

Produced by World of Wonder, the reality series follows drag queens as they compete to impress a panel of judges, including RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton and Alan Carr.

The news was announced on its Instagram page and comes days after the eighth series premiered on BBC Three.

Future series, as well as its international all-star spin-off, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World, will be broadcast on its streaming platform, Wow Presents Plus.

A BBC spokesperson said, “As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly.”

“We can therefore confirm, together with World of Wonder, that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be leaving the BBC and moving to WOW Presents Plus,” they added.

The representative continued, “The BBC is incredibly proud of all eleven series of this ground-breaking show and we would like to thank RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen.”

“We are certain that viewers will enjoy the eighth series, which is currently airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.”

The latest series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be launched in September 2026 and will continue to air on BBC Three before transferring to iPlayer.

There are eight seasons of the main series and three of the international spin-offs, which viewers will be able to continue watching once the move is complete.

Based on the US series, the show launched in 2019 and brought British drag into the mainstream in the UK and made a name for a number of performers including La Voix, Danny Beard, Baga Chipz and the late The Vivienne.

According to Independent, BBC is currently 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.