TWO drag queens are making history as the first Scottish performers to appear on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Glasgow-based Lawrence Chaney and Dundee’s Ellie Diamond will take part in series two of the reality competition.
The first season of the show’s UK edition was a streaming smash, drawing in 6.5 million viewers and even resulting in contestants scoring a Top 40 hit.
The award-winning programme revealed the cast of its new series this morning ahead of its premiere in January.
READ MORE: Lawrence Chaney: 10 things that changed my life
Scottish drag fans were thrilled to see Chaney and Diamond join the competition. Only one other Scot has taken part in the programme – Alexandria-born Morgan McMichaels who has been based in LA since she was a teenager.
In her announcement video, Chaney says she’s “kind of like Mary Queen of Scots” and “hopes one of these English drag queens doesn’t chop off my head”.
Och aye the noo!
— RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 16, 2020
Meet @ShadyLawrence, she's everything you're imagining a Scottish person to be, and more. 🏴 pic.twitter.com/TDDCs2OZbB
The glamorous drag star explains she’s inspired by worldwide legends – Lady Gaga, Madonna and “Michelle McManus”.
Congratulations rolled in for the Glasgow queen. “My prayers have been answered,” wrote Valentina Servera Clavell.
READ MORE: Scotland's top drag artists on state of the scene and RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Meanwhile Diamond spoke of her hopes to boost Dundee’s drag scene after her appearance on the show.
“There isn’t much of a drag scene there, but you know what, we’re definitely going to start putting on there after this,” she told viewers.
She's our diamond from Dundee. 💎@elliediamond101 is ready to serve you lewks and a double cheese burger with fries. pic.twitter.com/uu2jJVlGCI
— RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 16, 2020
The stunning queen, dressed head to toe in pink frills, said she is known for her “fierce performances” and hopes to bring them to the competition.
There was a lot of love for Diamond from her home town, with Jacob Campbell commenting: “Great to see the North East getting a look in this time round – best of luck!”
The first episode of series 2 starts on January 14 and is available on the iPlayer.
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