Drag Race co-creator speaks out after BBC drops show
BBC News reports on Fenton Bailey’s remarks following the BBC’s decision to axe Drag Race UK.
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BBC News Story
Drag Race co-creator fears for queer representation after BBC drops show
By Josh Parry, LGBT & Identity Reporter
Published 5 minutes ago
The co-creator of Drag Race, Fenton Bailey, has expressed concern about a "crisis of representation" on TV following the BBC’s decision to end the UK edition of the show. He clarifies that he doesn’t suspect a hidden agenda but fears vulnerable communities will be further marginalized.
The move sparked discussions about the BBC’s representation after they also canceled two LGBTQ+ dating shows. The corporation attributes the decisions to significant financial pressures, aiming to make £500m in savings.
World of Wonder (WOW), the production company behind Drag Race UK, announced that future series, including an All Stars version, will be broadcast exclusively on their streamer, WOW Presents Plus.
BBC News interviewed Bailey and others, including screenwriters, TV critics, and former Drag Race contestants, to gauge the impact of this shift on on-screen representation.
"Queer culture is vulnerable," Bailey stated. "Just because a door opened yesterday doesn’t mean it won’t be slammed shut the next."
The BBC’s negotiations with WOW for a renewed deal lasted several months, but they ultimately failed due to the scale of savings required by the corporation.
Bailey attributes this to the "horrible financial situations" broadcasters are currently facing, though Drag Race UK was consistently one of BBC Three’s most popular shows. While average viewing figures rose between 2022 and 2024, they’ve dropped approximately 15% over four years, mirroring a decline in overall TV viewership.
