RuPaul's Drag Race is one of the most successful shows on the BBC with 51 million streams for the series by the time season four aired. This may come as a shock to those uninitiated into the world of drag, but for fans this is just the beginning.
Season four of Drag Race UK is iconic for a number of reasons, including the first time an openly transgender queen had starred on the British show.
Another, possibly overlooked, milestone was an episode in which head judge and host RuPaul Charles was not present as head judge. On the seventh episode of that season, RuPaul was replaced by longstanding judge and best friend Michelle Visage.
This was the first time RuPaul had missed an episode of any version of the show usually hosted by the drag icon - including the American version which is currently on its 15th season.
With so many versions of the show airing across the globe, including Canada, Thailand and Holland, RuPaul cannot be host for all of them. If the day did come where Ru decided to hang up her wig, most would assume Michelle Visage, who has made the UK a second home, would take over.
The Mirror attended RuPaul's DragCon 2023 to ask the UK queens who they would pick should the 62-year-old step back from the show.
"I'm there! I'm there! Danny Beard's Drag Race it's done," shouted season four winner Danny Beard, adding: "I'll do it for free, I love telling people what to do."
Danny's enthusiasm for the show was clear as he said he would "forever be in debt" to RuPaul and the other judges. Other queens didn't jump at the chance to be host, as Danny's season sister Le Fil said: "I don't want to do it. I don't want to give out harsh critiques on TV. I'm all about love and positivity."
The 37-year-old added: "I want someone British. I would love the Vivienne or Divina [De Campo]. I love them so let's have someone from our family, that'd be fab."
Le Fil's pick was seconded by Cheryl Hole who told The Mirror: "It's not Michelle [Visage], I think it's got to be The Vivienne. She has established herself hugely and she helped me a lot.
"She supportive but that's what queens do. We're there to look out for each other uplifting support. I just think Viv would just be such a great, great host."
Season one winner James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne, was a popular choice among the season four queens and was also suggested by Just May: "I think the obvious choice would be the Vivienne because she knows all of us. It'd be like Brooke Lynn [Hytes] doing Canada's Drag Race - it's perfect."
This choice was backed by Irish queen Jonbers Blonde, she said: "I actually think that the Vivienne would be really good at doing it. She's been in this game a long time.
"I think that she knows what she's talking about, hard working and brings a look. She is someone that has shown development - even as somebody who was a fully realised queen she has shown development ever since as well.
"The Vivienne would be incredible to take it over but I hope that Ru doesn't leave, I mean we love Ru."
Past winners seemed to be the top choice as Joe Black, from season two, named his season's winner Lawrence Chaney as Ru's replacement. He said: "Lawrence Chaney is the biggest drag race fan I've ever met and I feel like the show would be in fantastic hands."
Ginny Lemon, who controversially walked off stage in her lip sync battle in season two, threw a chaotic answer into the ring with Kathy Burke.
The comedian did appear as a guest judge in season three but Ginny Lemon said: "A true British icon, Kathy Burke! Imagine Kathy Burke's Drag Race. I might have a chance of winning that one."
Another British icon named was Alan Carr, who regularly appears to judge the show alternating with Graham Norton. Dakota Schiffer sang his praise and told The Mirror: "I love Alan Carr, he was so lovely onset and just such an angel. I had so much fun during the Catty Man challenge.
"Everyone was getting annoyed at me for breaking character and I was like 'Alan's breaking character as well!' But to have Alan Carr validate me and laugh at me I was like 'oh, Danny Beard retire!' - no I'm joking.
"I had the best time with Alan, I think Alan would be amazing in terms of the British reference. Imagine Alan Carr on snatch game, I think he'd be amazing at it."
Queens from across the pond were mentioned too with Sminty Drop suggesting All Stars winner Shea Couleé and Black Peppa listing a range of queens such as Trixie Mattel, Katya, Bianca Del Rio and Bob the Drag Queen.
Black Peppa said: "Bob is obsessed with Drag Race to the point where I can see them actually taking over."
Ever unique, A'Whora had a twist on her answer to this question, giving the show a whole new dynamic. She said: "Say you win the season, your prize is you host the next season. Does that make sense? Or if Ru's not in it, it's iconic winners and every episode is a different winner as a main judge."
While RuPaul shows no signs of slowing as head judge of her drag empire, it's clear that for UK queens that either a RuGirl or a British legend should take over, with The Vivienne as a natural fit. Although if Kathy Burke is free, it might prompt an extra slice of Ginny Lemon.
RuPaul's DragCon UK took place at ExCeL London from 6-8 January 2023. Tickets are on sale for RuPaul's DragCon LA now.
Season 15 of ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ is currently available exclusively in the UK via the streamer of all things drag, WOW Presents Plus, with new episodes dropping on Saturdays at 2am GMT. Subscribe at https://uk.wowpresentsplus.com/
