Alan Carr, Graham Norton confirmed as judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK

BBC Three has confirmed that Alan Carr and Graham Norton will appear as rotating judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

Last year fans were thrilled when the Beeb announced the first British version of the drag reality TV phenomenon.

Like the original, RuPaul herself will decide who is crowned the UK’s Next Drag Superstar, with fan favourite Michelle Visage by her side as a permanent judge.

Now bosses have revealed the two other famous faces who will help review the queens’ runway performances.

Drag Race superfans Alan Carr and Graham Norton have signed up as the resident rotating judges, alternating on a weekly basis – as Carson Kressley and Ross Mathews do on the American version.

Each week, Ru, Michelle and Alan or Graham will be joined by a different celebrity guest judge – except the grand finale, when the two comedians will appear together.

Graham is no stranger to Drag Race, having previously been a guest judge on the second US All Stars season.

“Becoming part of the Drag Race family makes me ridiculously happy!” he exclaimed.

“I can’t wait to see what the UK drag queens bring to the party, but they better weeeeerk!!!”

Meanwhile, Alan made Ru’s acquaintance when she appeared on his talk show, Chatty Man.

“Wow! To be sat next to Michelle Visage and Mama Ru as a guest judge on possibly one of my all-time favourite shows EVER is a dream come true,” he commented.

“I can’t wait to see what the UK queens have got in store – it’s going to be sickening!”

RuPaul herself joked: “I was both shocked and delighted when Graham and Alan told me they’d be wearing tucking panties when sitting at the judges’ table.

“I told them it was not necessary, but they insisted. Now that’s what I call dedication!”

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK promises to “showcase the most fabulous drag queens that the UK has to offer”.

It will debut on online youth channel BBC Three, but is likely to air on TV at a later stage.

Earlier this week, BBC One announced it is adding a regular slot featuring “the best of BBC Three programming”.

The block will air on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10.35pm from Monday 4th March.

The eight-episode first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will premiere later this year.