Michelle McManus calls Drag Race UK appearance “greatest honour of my life”
– 2 min read
Glasgow singer and radio presenter Michelle McManus has described her upcoming appearance on the new series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK as “the greatest honour of my life”.
The popular reality show returns to screens on 25 September, with McManus set to feature as a special guest in a makeover challenge episode. The segment sees contestants transform surprise guests into drag queens, showcasing their creativity and flair.
Speaking to BBC Scotland’s Drivetime, McManus - a long-time fan of the show - shared her excitement at meeting RuPaul, calling the iconic performer “wonderful”. She said: “It was fabulous with a capital F from start to finish. Being in that werk room and being with the queens themselves was amazing.”
She added: “RuPaul was as wonderful as you’d imagine. I spent the whole time with my jaw on the ground - I have watched every single season back to front, so to be there was really surreal, it was dream-like.”
McManus rose to fame after winning Pop Idol in 2003 and has remained a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, crediting the LGBTQ+ community for much of her enduring success. “I am so delighted to be a part of that community, and to have been welcomed in,” she said. “There is no higher honour than being invited to play a part in Drag Race UK.”
Joining McManus in the makeover challenge are Welsh singer Charlotte Church and actress Dani Harmer, best known for her role as Tracey Beaker.
RuPaul’s Drag Race first aired in the United States in 2009 and has since won more than two dozen Emmy Awards. The UK version launched in 2019, with its inaugural crown claimed by Liverpool queen The Vivienne, who tragically passed away earlier this year.
Last year’s winner, Kyran Thrax from Lancashire, made history by receiving the show’s first-ever cash prize of £25,000.
Reflecting on the show’s impact, McManus said: “It’s a beautiful show and thank goodness we have it - it brings drag to a completely new audience. Every queen has their own story and there’s nothing not to love about drag, especially in the world we live in. It’s needed now more than ever.”
