RuPaul’s Drag Race has been axed from the BBC after eleven series following major budget cuts.
The hit show first premiered on the channel in 2019 and showcased British drag stars and LGBTQ+ culture like never before.
But after ‘significant financial pressure’ on the channel, the Beeb has been forced to ax the popular show from its schedule.
A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: ‘As the BBC continues to deal with significant financial pressure and make 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 with World of Wonder that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will leave the BBC and move to WOW Presents Plus.’
They added: ‘The BBC is incredibly proud of all eleven series of this groundbreaking show and we would like to thank RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen.
RuPaul’s Drag Race has been axed from the BBC after eleven series amid heavy budget cuts due to ‘significant financial pressure’
‘We’re sure viewers will enjoy the eighth series, which is currently airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.’
The show has produced big stars including La Voix, who starred in Strictly last year and Danny Beard, who later appeared in Big Brother.
Tayce also appeared in last year’s Strictly Christmas special, while Ginger Johnson won Celebrity Masterchef.
However, the show also suffered tragedy after The Vivienne, who won the 2019 British series, died at the age of 32 after being found dead in the bathroom of their own home.
The reality TV star, whose real name was James Lee Williams, was discovered with five empty ‘snap bags’ of ketamine in his home after recently relapsing after years of sobriety.
Paying tribute to the star, RuPaul shared a throwback photo of himself in drag with The Vivienne in drag, alongside a heartfelt tribute.
“It is with a broken heart that I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne – an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being,” he wrote.
A week after his death he appeared at DragCon UK in the ExCel London told the audience, “We are here to celebrate and spread life and love. We want to focus on love.’
“We’re going to remember our dear Vivienne with love and life because that’s what she was all about and she would want you to live your life and be free and have a lot of fun and spread that.”
Organizers have set up a memorial wall and memorial books where the thousands of fans expected to attend the event this weekend can remember the late entertainer who won the British series of the show in 2019.
Some of the heartfelt messages read: ‘The British Winners’ Circle has lost its crown jewel! I love you and will never forget you.’
While others said: ‘Thank you for sharing your love and light with us’: ‘You have made such a big impact in the lives of many people, rest in peace’: ‘Thank you Viv for sharing your talent of smiling and light’.
