RuPaul's Drag Race UK is back - and the season 5 stars are ready to werk

Start your engines - RuPaul's Drag Race UK is back for another season and a whole host of new drag acts battling it out for the coveted title. 

The competition will see 10 new drag stars taking part in weekly competitions, challenges and epic lip syncs to be crowned 2023's Next Drag Race Superstar. 

Previous years have seen the likes of The Vivienne, Lawrence Chaney, Krystal Versace and Danny Beard take home the title - so who will it be this year?

Here's everything you need to know about RuPaul's Drag Race UK season five, from the start date, to how to watch it, to the incredible new contestants.  

When does RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 5 start?

RuPaul's Drag Race UK season 5 starts tonight, Thursday 28th September. 

The show is returning to BBC Three with a new batch of contestants vying for the crown and facing the four judges: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.

This year, fans will see the likes of Yasmin Finney, Suranne Jones and Aisling Bea joining the line up of guest judges.

What time does Drag Race UK start?

The new season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK kicks off at 9pm on BBC Three. 

You can tune in by streaming via BBC iPlayer. 

Meet the Drag Race UK season 5 contestants 

Ready to meet the latest drag superstars?

Alexis Saint Pete

Name:

Alexis Saint Pete

Age:

29

How they describe themselves: 

"Silly, sexy, hungry, showstopping and delicious.

"I'm 29 years old and I’m your favourite Polish Princess living in London - I’m the Polish Billy Elliot!"

Banksie

Name:

Banksie

Age:

23

How they describe themselves: 

"I like to describe myself as the bin baby of the family - I run around being a bit of a prat."

Cara Melle

Name:

Cara Melle

Age:

26

How they describe themselves: 

"The Beyoncé... I serve amazing looks, I perform the hell out of anything and I bring main character energy to the game."

DeDeLicious

Name:

DeDeLicious

Age:

20

How they describe themselves: 

"I just can't wait for everyone to fall in love with me!"

Ginger Johnson

Name:

Ginger Johnson

Age:

24

How they describe themselves: 

"My game plan is to trick the other queens into thinking I’m a bit of an idiot, when in fact I am an absolute idiot."

Kate Butch

Name:

Kate Butch

Age:

26

How they describe themselves: 

"I am a silly goose from Buxton in Derbyshire, and in homage to my namesake, Kate Bush, I took to the wily, windy moors and landed here on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK."

Michael Marouli

Name:

Michael Marouli

Age:

39

How they describe themselves: 

"Geordie tart with a heart."

Miss Naomi Carter

Name:

Naomi Carter

Age:

23

How they describe themselves: 

"'Naomi' comes from the absolute icon that is supermodel Naomi Campbell. 'Carter' for the absolute icon that is Beyoncé Carter, and the 'Miss' is to let the boys know that I'm single!"

Tomara Thomas

Name:

Tomara Thomas

Age:

25

How they describe themselves: 

"This energy is unmatched. What other lady has an energy like this and looks like this?"

Vicki Vivacious

Name:

Vicki Vivacious

Age:

36

How they describe themselves: 

"I can sing, I can dance and I can make people laugh. I can whip up a crowd, and I can also eat a pasty in less than five seconds. Now that deserves a prize, right?"

In the words of Mama Ru - may the best drag act win!