More than 100 drag queens have donned their most fabulous frocks in London for what is billed as the “world’s largest celebration of drag culture”.
RuPaul’s DragCon UK 2024 opened at ExCeL London on Saturday, although RuPaul Charles, the creator of the international franchise, was absent due to the Emmy Awards on Monday in Los Angeles.
His co-judge Michelle Visage, who competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, was there to open the show instead, alongside the most recent winner of BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Ginger Johnson.
Ginger Johnson, the reigning queen of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, leads the pink carpet (Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
Michelle Visage (centre) has been a judge since series three of the original RuPaul’s Drag Race (Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
Brooke Lynn Hytes, the host of Drag Race Canada, flew in for the show (Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
Ginger Johnson (centre) surrounded by drag queens from franchises across the globe (Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
Drag Race began in the US in 2009, with stars from spin-off international versions including Canada, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Philippines, and Down Under also attending the event at ExCeL London.
(Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
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(Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
British drag queens including previous winners Krystal Versace, Lawrence Chaney and Danny Beard will be in attendance across the weekend, alongside UK fan favourites Baga Chipz, Cheryl Hole, Cheddar Gorgeous, Victoria Scone and Tia Kofi.
(Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West
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(Ian West/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Ian West