'I'm knocking on doors, but it'd be wrong for me to host it': Jonathan Ross gives Attitude the tea on 'Drag Race UK'

The internet was abuzz yesterday (January 13) as rumours began flying that Channel 5 was bringing RuPaul’s Drag Race to UK shores, with Jonathan Ross as host and judges including RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Paul O’Grady – find out more here.

The news followed widespread reports last year that Ross had bought the rights to develop a UK version of the drag-themed reality show – and was lining up British drag star Jodie Harsh to present it.

Now Ross has spoken exclusively to attitude.co.uk to spill the tea on the show’s status, and whether we’ll be seeing the UK’s drag stars sissying that walk on our shores anytime soon…

Sadly, it’s not the news we were all hoping for, with Ross revealing that while he’s “working on it”, a UK version of the show is yet to get picked up by British channel.

“What I wanted to say was one: that there’s nothing happening right now, and two: I’m still working on it and talking about it!” the 54-year-old told us.

“I’m a big big fan of the show. I’ve been watching it solidly for about three years now. Nothing’s happening right now, but that’s not for want of trying on my part. Hopefully something will happen! I’m knocking on doors and I’ve spoken to at least three channels already.”

Ross also explained that while he’s keen to champion a British version of the show, it would be “wrong” for him to host it himself.

“I am not in any way trying to inject myself into the format. If we were to do it, my first desire would be to do it with Ru, who seems up for it. If Ru couldn’t do it for whatever reason, we would probably find a UK face to do it, but it wouldn’t be me.

“I am very happy and keen to get something off the ground, so if me being involved in some way will help, then I will happily oblige, but I think I would be completely wrong to host it.

“I could see myself being on it as a guest judge and would happily do anything like that. But this isn’t me trying to say ‘I want to do Drag Race‘. I would love Michelle to be involved as well, and hopefully with her doing so well on Celebrity Big Brother, it can’t hurt”.

Saying that he’d “love to make use of the UK’s drag talent”, the chat show host continued to say that he’s already been persuading his celebrity friends to get involved in the format.

“My idea would be that Ru host it with Michelle and a couple of English faces. I would have thought maybe Alan Carr. He’s a huge fan. And maybe it would be great if we could get some regulars like me, Alan, Graham [Norton] and maybe Paul O’Grady. They love the show.

“But please reassure the community of Drag Race fans that this isn’t me saying ‘I think I should be RuPaul’! For one thing I’d look terrible in heels! I’ve got a classic hog body. No amount of cinching is going to help me sissy my walk!”

So there you go, Drag Race fans: While RuPaul’s Drag Race UK could still be a while away, the signs are certainly promising. For one thing, RuPaul has already thrown his support behind the idea, telling fellow judge Michelle Visage last year: “Let’s do it! I’m ready for it” – find out more here.

For now we’ll have to console ourselves with the fact that season 7 of the US version is now just weeks away. Watch the trailer ahead of its comeback below:

‘I’m knocking on doors, but it’d be wrong for me to host it’: Jonathan Ross gives Attitude the tea on ‘Drag Race UK’

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