Beyond The Broadcast: Newcastle’s Reaction To The BBC Cutting Drag Race UK
Written by Lucy Harrison on 22nd September 2026
@thevwalah
After seven years of gracing the BBC with sickening lip syncs and snatch games, Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK is now having to sashay away after being dropped from the BBC due to apparent budget cuts.
The BBC has dropped Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK as part of cost-cutting measures to save £500 million. They stated that due to the significant financial problems it is facing the must make difficult choices to meet the required savings. The current series will continue to air on BBC Three; however, after this series is finished, Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK will be found on ‘WOW presents plus’.
This news has caused a major upset across the UK espically in the North East area, as it is home to a large, thriving drag and LGBT community.
Drag Race UK Star La Voix, who originates from the North East, has slammed the BBC’s decision to remove the show, while she acknowledges it will continue on ‘WOW Presents Plus’. La Voix wrote on Instagram:
“It’s a loss not to have this represented on mainstream terrestrial TV”.
View this post on Instagram
Drag Race UK pulls in around 1 million viewers each week, leading to yet more confusion on why such a popular show would be cut. The representation the show had on such a large platform meant so much to fans in such a personal way that this change feels to some like a major step back.
Newcastle’s drag scene is expanding rapidly and is becoming more vibrant and fiercely competitive than ever, which is why this news has hit the North East so hard.
Local Drag Queen, La Voix, who often performs in Newcastle, said:
“The BBC axing Drag Race UK feels like a slap in the face. Drag Race UK, without a doubt, was one of the most popular shows on the BBC and showcased British drag to mainstream media, and now that type of representation will be unavailable for many”
Drag Race was a beacon of hope to individuals that a kid from the North East can make it, like La Voix, now losing this from mainstream TV will hurt deeply.
Despite this, Newcastle queens will continue to do what they have always done by showing up for their community and representing drag culture with artistry, comedy, and a whole lot of glamour.
@thevwalah
The BBC may have given up on Drag Race, but the North East surely has not.
@thevwalah
@lavoixtheshow
