“You may now sashay away,” seems to be the message from the BBC to RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. After eight successful seasons, the acclaimed British iteration of RuPaul's global phenomenon is being cut from the broadcaster's lineup.

A representative for the BBC confirmed the difficult decision, attributing it to “significant financial pressures” as the corporation continues its efforts to save £500 million ($678m) and cut 1,800 staffers. The BBC, which stated it was “incredibly proud of all eleven series of this groundbreaking show,” confirmed the decision, adding, “We are certain that viewers will enjoy the eighth [season].”

The series, which previously aired on BBC Three and iPlayer, along with its spin-off RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World, will transition to Wow Presents Plus. This move brings the show to a platform owned by its production company, World of Wonder.

Since its debut in 2019, Drag Race UK has been a cultural touchstone, catapulting British drag queens like Baga Chipz, Bimini Bon-Boulash, Tayce, and The Vivienne into the spotlight. Its alumni have gone on to achieve mainstream success, with Tia Kofi joining the Eurovision presenting team, La Voix appearing on EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing, and Ginger Johnson winning Celebrity MasterChef.

The show's format, featuring amateur and professional drag queens competing in various challenges under the watchful eyes of judges RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Graham Norton, and Alan Carr, alongside a rotating cast of celebrity guest judges, resonated strongly with audiences. At its peak, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK reportedly averaged around 1.5 million viewers per episode. Fans can still catch up on existing seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Vs The World on BBC iPlayer.