RuPaul's Drag Race Wiki
RuPaul's Drag Race Wiki
RuPaul's Drag Race UK
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The fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was officially announced on September 2, 2022 by BBC Three via X.[4] Casting opened that same day, with deadline of September 16, 2022.[4]

The cast was revealed on September 11, 2023.[2] The promo theme was "Quality Street", with each contestant representing a different flavor.[5]

On the September 12, 2023 it was announced that UK Season 4 winner Danny Beard would be hosting an official aftershow series "The After Shave with Danny Beard" on BBC iPlayer.[6]

The winner of the fifth season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK was Ginger Johnson, with Michael Marouli placing as the runner-up.

Contestants

(Biographical information stated from during time of contest)

Rank Contestant Photo Age[2] Location[2] Ep. 1 Ep. 2 Ep. 3 Ep. 4 Ep. 5 Ep. 6 Ep. 7 Ep. 8 Ep. 9 Ep. 10
Runway Design Girl
Groups
Improv Rusical Snatch
Game
Acting Make
Over
Roast Finale
1st
(Winner)
Ginger Johnson 34 County
Durham,
England
HIGH SAFE SAFE WIN WIN WIN HIGH
Mini
Chall.
Winner
HIGH HIGH WINNER
2nd
(Runner-Up)
Michael Marouli 39 Newcastle
Upon Tyne,
England
HIGH SAFE HIGH
TEAM
WIN HIGH SAFE BTM2 WIN WIN RUNNER
UP
3rd Tomara Thomas 25 Hartlepool,
England
SAFE HIGH
Mini
Chall.
Winner
TOP2 WIN
Mini
Chall.
Winner
SAFE HIGH SAFE SAFE BTM2 ELIM
4th DeDeLicious 20 Kent,
England
SAFE HIGH HIGH
TEAM
SAFE BTM2 BTM2 SAFE BTM2 ELIM GUEST
5th Kate Butch 26 Derbyshire,
England
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE HIGH
Mini
Chall.
Winner
HIGH WIN ELIM GUEST GUEST
6th Cara Melle 26 London,
England
TOP2 LOW WIN BTM2 SAFE SAFE ELIM
7th Vicki Vivacious 36 Cornwall,
England
WIN SAFE HIGH
TEAM
LOW HIGH ELIM GUEST GUEST
8th Banksie 23 Manchester,
England
SAFE WIN SAFE LOW ELIM GUEST GUEST
9th Miss Naomi Carter 23 Doncaster,
England
SAFE BTM2 SAFE ELIM GUEST GUEST
10th Alexis Saint-Pete 28 London,
England
HIGH ELIM GUEST GUEST
The contestant won RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
The contestant was a runner-up.
The contestant was eliminated during the finale.
The contestant won the Maxi Challenge.
The contestant was one of the Maxi Challenge winners.
The contestant was in the top two, but did not win the Lip Sync for the Win.
The contestant was in the top as a part of the winning team, but did not win the Maxi Challenge.
The contestant was in the top, but did not win the Maxi Challenge.
The contestant was in the bottom, but was not up for elimination.
The contestant was in the bottom and won the Lip Sync for Your Life.
The contestant was in the bottom, lost the Lip Sync for Your Life, and was eliminated.
The contestant appeared as a guest, but was out of the running.

Episodes

Series # Episode # Title Airdate
40 1 Tickety-Boo September 28, 2023
41 2 Purr-fect Looks October 5, 2023
42 3 Club Bangers October 12, 2023
43 4 DisasterClass October 19, 2023
44 5 Panto Dames October 26, 2023
45 6 Snatch Game November 2, 2023
46 7 Melodrama-Rama November 9, 2023
47 8 Hotline Makeover November 16, 2023
48 9 Dragiators' Roast November 23, 2023
49 10 Grand Finale November 30, 2023

Episode 1: "Tickety-Boo"

Airdate: September 28, 2023

Synopsis:

The new cast of fabulous queens are judged on not one, not two, but three looks. Who will make the fiercest first impression on Mama Ru and the judging panel? Supermodel Kristen McMenamy joins Michelle Visage and Alan Carr to help RuPaul deliberate the fate of the queens.

A brand spanking new series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns!

Over the next ten weeks, a cast of fabulous new drag queens will compete for RuPaul’s seal of approval and the much coveted title of UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar.

In this opening episode, international drag legend RuPaul welcomes the queens into the werk room for the very first time. Entering one by one, they meet their fellow competitors and of course, they meet RuPaul, who sets them a surprise first challenge: Ru ru-veals that they’re about to be judged on not one, not two, but three looks. The question remains: who will make the fiercest first impression on Mama Ru and the judging panel?

Supermodel Kristen McMenamy joins Michelle Visage and Alan Carr to help RuPaul deliberate the fate of the queens. No one wants to be eliminated first!

A new cast of queens enter the workroom and RuPaul sets their first surprise challenge. Supermodel Kristen McMenamy, Michelle Visage and Alan Carr join Ru on the judging panel.

UKS5E1Judges

Episode 1 Judges

Entrance Order

1 Tomara Thomas
2 Banksie
3 Miss Naomi Carter
4 Michael Marouli
5 Kate Butch
6 Cara Melle
7 Ginger Johnson
8 DeDeLicious
9 Vicki Vivacious
10 Alexis Saint-Pete

Episode 2: "Purr-fect Looks"

Airdate: October 5, 2023

Synopsis:

RuPaul is still getting to know the new racers, and this week throws a cat amongst the pigeons with a challenge designed to deliver some home truths and cheeky catty moments. Me-OW! Editor of British Vogue Edward Enninful drops by to offer fashion advice while Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney joins the judging panel.

The search for the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar continues.

RuPaul is still getting to know the new racers, and this week throws a cat amongst the pigeons with a challenge designed to deliver some home truths and cheeky catty moments. Me-OW!

And enter the iconic design challenge with a pet shop couture twist! RuPaul tests the queens’ style and creative sewing and gluing skills with a challenge designed to bring out their animal instincts. Who will deliver the purr-fect catwalk look, and who will look like a dog’s dinner?

Editor of British Vogue Edward Enninful drops by to offer fashion advice while Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as RuPaul determines the fate of the next queen to sashay away.

Editor of British Vogue Edward Enninful and Heartstopper star Yasmin Finney drop by to help RuPaul as the queens showcase their creative skill and style in the design challenge.

UKS5E2Judges

Episode 2 Judges

  • Special Guest: Edward Enninful
  • Guest Judge: Yasmin Finney
  • Mini Challenge: Let the Cat out of the Bag
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Tomara Thomas
  • Maxi Challenge: Create and showcase a look using items from the pet store.
  • Runway Theme: Pet-Shop Catwalk Couture
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Banksie
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: Alexis Saint-Pete & Miss Naomi Carter
  • Lip Sync Song: "Hot In It" by Tiësto & Charli XCX
  • Eliminated: Alexis Saint-Pete
  • Farewell Message: "ALWAYS Believe In YOURSELF, Love U All So Much, Alexis Saint-Pete"

Episode 3: "Club Bangers"

Airdate: October 12, 2023

Synopsis:

The queens’ performance chops are tested to the max with the iconic Girl Group Challenge. This challenge sees the queens heading back to the 90s to create their very own club banger. But for the queens, will it be murder on the dance floor, or will they get a rave review? Pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins the judging panel.

RuPaul’s search for the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar continues.

This week, the queens’ performance chops are tested to the max with the iconic Girl Group Challenge. The queens form two girl groups to write and record their own lyrics and perform their song in front of RuPaul and the panel of judges. This challenge sees the queens heading back to the 90s to create their very own club banger. It’s a tuuuuuuuune! But for the queens, will it be murder on the dance floor, or will they get a rave review?

Pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel alongside RuPaul as they deliberate over who should be the next queen to sashay away from the competition.

The queens take on a 90s rave banger for the girl group challenge. Pop legend Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel.

UKS5E3Judges

Episode 3 Judges

Episode 4: "DisasterClass"

Airdate: October 19, 2023

Synopsis:

The queens attempt to make Mama Ru laugh her heels off with a masterclass in Love, Werk, and Play. RuPaul's Drag Race fan, actor Suranne Jones, joins the judging panel.

RuPaul’s search for the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar continues. This week, the queens’ comedy skills are tested to the max as they are asked to share their pearls of wisdom and give a masterclass on Werk, Love and Play.

So which queens are aware that there isn't an 'I' in 'team', and which group will impress the most and make Mama Ru laugh her heels off?

Award-winning actor and long-term Drag Race fan Suranne Jones joins Michelle Visage and Alan Carr on the judging panel as RuPaul determines the fate of the next queen to sashay away.

The queens attempt to make Mama Ru laugh her heels off with a masterclass in Love, Werk and Play. RuPaul's Drag Race fan, actor Suranne Jones, joins the judging panel.

UKS5E4Judges

Episode 4 Judges

  • Special Guest: Raven
  • Guest Judge: Suranne Jones
  • Mini Challenge: Pose and deliver a sticky tag line in DTF bro drag
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Tomara Thomas
  • Maxi Challenge: Perform an inspirational seminar called RuPaul's Disaster Class
  • Runway Theme: Slaycation
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Ginger Johnson, Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: Cara Melle & Miss Naomi Carter
  • Lip Sync Song: "The Only Way Is Up" by Yazz
  • Eliminated: Miss Naomi Carter
  • Farewell Message: "Let me hear you say cinna bit Miss Carter, love you all, have fun cleaning this 💋 XOXO"

Episode 5: "Panto Dames"

Airdate: October 26, 2023

Synopsis:

In celebration of one of Britain’s oldest theatre traditions, the Drag Race UK dames put on an all-singing, all-dancing show entitled: Panto She Better Don’t – The Rusical. But the question remains - can they pull it off? Award-winning star of stage and screen Cush Jumbo joins the judging panel.

One of Drag Race’s toughest challenges, the Rusical, is here. Oh no, it isn’t! Oh yes it is!

In celebration of one of Britain’s oldest theatre traditions, the Drag Race UK dames put on an all-singing, all-dancing show entitled: Panto She Better Don’t – The Rusical. But the question remains - can they pull it off?

Award-winning star of stage and screen Cush Jumbo joins head judge RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as they join in the panto fun and deliberate the fate of another queen.

Prepare for panto - Drag Race style! It's Rusical week, and screen star Cush Jumbo joins the fun as guest judge alongside RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Graham Norton.

UKS5E5Judges

Episode 5 Judges

  • Special Guest: Dane Chalfin and Karen Hauer
  • Guest Judge: Cush Jumbo
  • Mini Challenge: Reading Challenge
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Kate Butch
  • Maxi Challenge: Perform in the Rusical Pant-oh She Better Don't - The Rusical
  • Runway Theme: Mirror, Mirror
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Ginger Johnson
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: Banksie & DeDeLicious
  • Lip Sync Song: "I Dreamed a Dream" by Susan Boyle
  • Eliminated: Banksie
  • Farewell Message: "LOVE YOU SISTERS! ALL HAIL THE RAT QUEEN! BANKSIE X"

Pant-Oh She Better Don't - The Rusical

Contestant Role
Banksie Butter Face
Cara Melle Lisa Thotlee
DeDeLicious Dame Muffin Top
Ginger Johnson Daisy the Cow
Kate Butch Twinkerbell
Michael Marouli Dick
Tomara Thomas Dee from Stairs
Vicki Vivacious The Milkmaid

Episode 6: "Snatch Game"

Airdate: November 2, 2023

Synopsis:

It is time for one of the show's most iconic and difficult challenges – the Snatch Game! Carol Vorderman and Alexandra Burke join in the fun as the queens are tasked with showcasing their best celebrity impressions and their improv skills.

The search for the UK’s next Drag Race superstar continues. It is time for one of the show's most iconic and difficult challenges – the Snatch Game. Carol Vorderman and Alexandra Burke join in the fun as the queens are tasked with showcasing their best celebrity impressions and their improv skills.

But the question remains - who will make Ru laugh, and who will draw some 'blankety blank' stares?

Alexandra Burke stays on to join RuPaul on the judging panel alongside Michelle Visage and Alan Carr. Together, they deliberate the fate of yet another queen.

Carol Vorderman and Alexandra Burke play the iconic Snatch Game. Alexandra joins RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Alan Carr on the judging panel to determine the fate of another queen.

UKS5E6Judges

Episode 6 Judges

  • Special Guest: Carol Vorderman
  • Guest Judge: Alexandra Burke
  • Maxi Challenge: Snatch Game
  • Runway Theme: Heart Ons
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Ginger Johnson
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: DeDeLicious & Vicki Vivacious
  • Lip Sync Song: "Heartbreak On Hold" by Alexandra Burke
  • Eliminated: Vicki Vivacious
  • Farewell Message: "I'm more iconic than the Cornish pasty! Love most of you!! Vicki ♡"

Snatch Game Character

Contestant Celebrity
Cara Melle Dionne Warwick
DeDeLicious Lady Colin Campbell
Ginger Johnson Barbara Cartland
Kate Butch Kate Bush
Michael Marouli Catherine Tate
(as Bernie the Nurse
from The Catherine Tate Show)
Catherine Tate
(as Derek Faye
from The Catherine Tate Show)
Tomara Thomas Robin Williams
(as Mrs. Doubtfire
from Mrs. Doubtfire)
Vicki Vivacious Fanny Cradock

Episode 7: "Melodrama-Rama"

Airdate: November 9, 2023

Synopsis:

The queens’ melodramatic acting skills are put to the test as they star in the romantic dramas Footballers' Wags, Holedark, and Femmerdale. Comedian and presenter Joel Dommett joins the judging panel.

The search for the UK’s next Drag Race superstar continues. It is time for one of the show's most iconic and difficult challenges – the Snatch Game. Carol Vorderman and Alexandra Burke join in the fun as the queens are tasked with showcasing their best celebrity impressions and their improv skills.

But the question remains - who will make Ru laugh, and who will draw some 'blankety blank' stares?

Alexandra Burke stays on to join RuPaul on the judging panel alongside Michelle Visage and Alan Carr. Together, they deliberate the fate of yet another queen.

The melodrama continues as the queens’ over acting skills are tested with romantic drama. Comedian Joel Dommett joins RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Alan Carr on the judging panel.

UKS5E7Judges

Episode 7 Judges

  • Guest Judge: Joel Dommett
  • Mini Challenge: Everybody Loves Puppets
  • Mini Challenge Winner: Ginger Johnson
  • Maxi Challenge: Screen Test three "original" TV pilots
  • Runway Theme: Pajamarama
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Kate Butch
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: Cara Melle & Michael Marouli
  • Lip Sync Song: "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)" by Samantha Fox
  • Eliminated: Cara Melle
  • Farewell Message: "Sweet, Salty, Sticky, You're all nasty... J.K. Love you Forever. Cara Melle"

Screen Test Teams

Contestant Pilot Role
Cara Melle Footballers' Wags
(Parody of Footballers' Wives)
Champagne
Michael Marouli Tanya
Ginger Johnson Holedark
(Parody of Poldark)
Damelsa
Kate Butch Elizabent
DeDeLicious Femmerdale
(Parody of Emmerdale)
Gabby
Tomara Thomas Stella

Episode 8: "Hotline Makeover"

Airdate: November 16, 2023

Synopsis:

The queens are tasked with giving drag makeovers to some extra special makeover subjects, and fashion doyenne Daphne Guinness joins joins the judging panel.

RuPaul’s search for the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar continues. It’s makeover week!

In an emotional episode, the remaining queens are tasked with giving some very special guests a drag makeover - volunteers from the UK’s oldest LGBTQ+ helpline. But the question remains: can they create a family resemblance and transform their subjects into extra special fair ladies?

Fashion doyenne Daphne Guinness joins Michelle Visage and Graham Norton on the judging panel as they deliberate the fate of yet another queen.

The queens are tasked with giving drag makeovers to some extra special makeover subjects, and fashion doyenne Daphne Guinness joins RuPaul on the judging panel.

UKS5E8Judges

Episode 8 Judges

  • Guest Judge: Daphne Guinness
  • Maxi Challenge: Makeover volunteers from Switchboard
  • Runway Theme: Drag Family Resemblance
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Michael Marouli
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: DeDeLicious & Kate Butch
  • Lip Sync Song: "This Hell" by Rina Sawayama
  • Eliminated: Kate Butch
  • Farewell Message: "It's me, I'm Kathy, I've gone home, Hope you all lose XOXO ⭐ Kate Butch, BALEGDEH"

Hotline Makeover

Contestant Makeover Partner
Name Drag Name
DeDeLicious Jamie BeBeLicious
Ginger Johnson Rodrigo Ruiva Johnson
Kate Butch Xan Femily Bronté
Michael Marouli Peter Geezer Minouli
Tomara Thomas
(as "Tiny T")
Gemma Giant G

Episode 9: "Dragiators' Roast"

Airdate: November 23, 2023

Synopsis:

It's the semi-final! In a Gladiators-themed roast, our ru-maining contenders step into the ring and wrestle for a place in the finale. Comedian Aisling Bea joins as guest judge.

It’s the semi-final! As we reach the penultimate week, RuPaul’s search for the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar is nearly over.

In a Gladiators-themed comedy roast challenge, the ru-maining queens step into the Drag Race UK arena to fight it out for a place in the finale. The crown is in snatching distance, but one wrong joke could mean game over for one of our plucky contenders. Thankfully, Alan Carr is on hand to mentor the queens with a comedy masterclass.

But the question remains, which contender will make RuPaul laugh the loudest of all?

Comedian and actress Aisling Bea joins RuPaul as his extra special guest judge alongside Michelle Visage and Alan Carr as another queen sashays away.

It's the semi-final! In a Gladiators-themed roast, our ru-maining contenders step into the ring and wrestle for a place in the finale. Comedian Aisling Bea joins as guest judge.

UKS5E9Judges

Episode 8 Judges

  • Guest Judge: Aisling Bea
  • Maxi Challenge: Perform in a gladiator themed Roast
  • Runway Theme: Poofs on Parade
  • Maxi Challenge Winner: Michael Marouli
  • Maxi Challenge Prize: RuPeter Badge
  • Bottom Two: DeDeLicious & Tomara Thomas
  • Lip Sync Song: "Little Bird" by Annie Lennox
  • Eliminated: DeDeLicious
  • Farewell Message: "Mi Mi Licious OUT, huge congrats to the top 3, Love you all xxx ♡"

Dragiators' Roast

# Contestant Gladiator Name
1 Tomara Thomas The Flaming Fanny Fighter
2 DeDeLicious DeDe Decimator
3 Ginger Johnson Geordie Walloper
4 Michael Marouli Marouli the Merciless

Finalists

Contestant Challenge Wins Up for Elimination
3
(Eps. 4, 5, 6)
0
3
(Eps. 4, 8, 9)
1
(Ep. 7)
1
(Ep. 4)
1
(Ep. 9)

Episode 10: "Grand Finale"

Airdate: November 30, 2023

Synopsis:

It’s the grand finale! The time has come for the competition to conclude in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza fight for the crown.

It’s the grand finale! The time has come for the competition to conclude in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza fight for the crown.

Choreographer Claudimar Neto coaches the queens as the finalists star in Drag Race UK’s first ever music video, while Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton, series four winner Danny Beard and the eliminated queens all return to bear witness as RuPaul crowns the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar.

It’s the grand finale! Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton and the eliminated queens all return to bear witness as RuPaul crowns the UK’s next Drag Race Superstar.

UKS5E10Judges

Episode 10 Judges

  • Special Guest: Claudimar Neto
  • Maxi Challenge: Write their own verses and star in the music video for RuPaul's song "Spotlight".
  • Runway Theme: Grand Finale Eleganza - Dripping In Jewels
  • Top 2 of the Season: Ginger Johnson & Michael Marouli
  • Eliminated: Tomara Thomas
  • Lip Sync Song: "A Little Respect" by Erasure
  • Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season 5: Ginger Johnson
  • Runner-Up: Michael Marouli

Gallery

Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' looks from each episode.
Check out the lookbook gallery to see the contestants' planned looks for each episode.

Trivia

  • This is the first UK Season...
    • ...to have an American contestant, Cara Melle.
    • ...to have a Polish contestant, Alexis Saint-Pete.
    • ...to have less than 12 contestants since UK Season 1.
    • ...to have a companion aftershow series, "The After Shave with Danny Beard".
    • ...where none of the first three challenge winners make it to the finale.
    • ...where every queen competed in a design challenge.
  • This is the second UK Season...
    • ...in which no queens participated in RuPaul's Drag Race UK Ambassador, the first was RuPaul's Drag Race UK (Season 4).
    • ...where all of the contestants had individual placements with no double eliminations or shared runner-up ranks alongside UK Season 1.

References

  1. BBC Three - RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Series 5, Episode 1 | BBC — September 28, 2023
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Meet the RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 5 Queens - Media Centre | BBC — September 11, 2023
  3. Post by dragraceukbbc | Instagram — September 12, 2023
  4. 4.0 4.1 Tweet by bbcthree | X — September 2, 2022
  5. Promo Theme UK5 | YouTube — September 29, 2023
  6. Post by dragraceukbbc | Instagram — September 12, 2023

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