Vanessa Feltz sparks debate as she lets rip at BBC for axing ‘family-friendly’ Drag Race UK: ‘Shame on you!’
Vanessa Feltz has launched a furious attack on the BBC over its decision to axe RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, declaring: “BBC, shame on you.”
The 64-year-old broadcaster said she was “heartbroken”, “outraged” and “distraught” after it was confirmed that the long-running drag competition would leave the corporation.
Ms Feltz took to Instagram dressed in a flamboyant outfit and a glittering USA-themed headpiece to deliver her response to the decision.
Alongside the video, she wrote: “Shame on The BBC for cancelling @rupaulsdragrace UK…!”
Vanessa Feltz has launched a furious attack on the BBC over RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
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INSTAGRAM/VANESSA FELTZ
Addressing the broadcaster directly in the clip, Ms Feltz began: “BBC, what are you doing? How can you possibly not continue to make RuPaul’s Drag Race? I am heartbroken.
“I’m also outraged. I’m furious because what is the BBC supposed to be for? To educate, inform and entertain. Those are the Reithian values.”
She questioned how the corporation could “leave such a vast swathe of the community neglected” and hailed the programme for its inclusivity.
“For goodness sake, RuPaul’s Drag Race was the most inclusive viewing. It was family viewing. It was LGBTQ+ viewing,” Ms Feltz continued.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK first launched on the BBC in 2019
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BBC
The broadcaster argued the programme appealed to people who had felt alienated, excluded or confused, as well as viewers looking for something “vibrant and unbridled and uncontrollable”.
She described the show as “hilarious and heartwarming and moving and emotionally completely and utterly scintillating”, before demanding: “How could you not make that wonderful programme?”
Ms Feltz went on to claim Drag Race UK had become a “unifying force for the entire country”.
“Grandmas and grandsons and everybody have united in watching this wonderful spectacle of human endeavour, achievement, frustration and absolute flourishing human beings,” she said.
Ms Feltz concluded her video by accusing the BBC of abandoning its original values.
“I am distraught that the BBC has left its initial values so far behind that it can’t see that this is a short-sighted and actually a very unkind move.
“BBC, shame on you.”
The presenter’s intervention comes after the BBC confirmed RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will leave the broadcaster and move to LGBT+ streaming service Wow Presents Plus.
The British version of RuPaul’s successful American format launched on the BBC in 2019 and has showcased scores of British drag performers.
However, viewing figures have declined in recent years, falling from averages of around 1.5 million to approximately one million.
Explaining the decision, a BBC spokesman pointed to the financial pressures facing the corporation.
“As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly,” the spokesman said.
The broadcaster said she was ‘heartbroken’ and ‘outraged’ by the decision
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GETTY
“We can therefore confirm, together with World of Wonder, that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be leaving the BBC and moving to Wow Presents Plus.
“The BBC is incredibly proud of all eleven series of this groundbreaking show, and we would like to thank RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen.”
The programme’s departure forms part of a wider series of changes at the corporation as it seeks to make significant savings.
Ms Feltz’s intervention attracted support from fans on Instagram, with one responding: “Love you for this @vanessafeltzofficial.”
The BBC said financial pressures had forced it to make ‘very difficult choices’
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GETTY
Another penned: “It’s the only show worth watching for the feel-good factor.”
“Well done for speaking up, Vanessa. So impressive,” a third added.
A fourth fan agreed with the broadcaster, writing: “I absolutely agree with you there, and what’s going on with the BBC to cancel RuPaul Drag Race UK? I absolutely love love that show, and BBC, shame on you.”
However, others rejected Ms Feltz’s criticism.
“People need to chill out, Drag Race UK isn’t going anywhere, and it’s going to be so much better without being tied to the BBC,” one person argued.
Another penned: “It definitely wasn’t family viewing.”
A third welcomed the BBC’s decision, declaring: “Oh good. Let’s hope this woke nonsense is finally over.”
A BBC Spokesperson told GB News: “As the BBC continues to navigate significant financial pressures and deliver the savings required of us, we have had to make some very difficult choices, none of which have been taken lightly. We can therefore confirm together with World of Wonder, that RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will be leaving the BBC and moving to WOW Presents Plus.
“The BBC is incredibly proud of all eleven series of this groundbreaking show and we would like to thank RuPaul, World of Wonder and everyone involved, both on and off screen. We are certain that viewers will enjoy the eighth series, which is currently airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.”
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