Lorraine Kelly, Melanie C, Rob Beckett, Courtney Act and Layton Williams all set to appear in brand new special, Queens For The Night
For one night only, a cast of celebrities will channel their inner drag queens and unearth the divas within in a fabulous competition like no other. Queens For The Night, created and produced by Tuesday’s Child, is set to launch on ITV and ITV Hub later this year.
Celebrating the art and appeal of drag in spectacular style, this TV extravaganza sees a selection of famous faces undergoing the ultimate drag makeover.
Hosted by drag superfan Lorraine Kelly, she will be joined by our judging panel, Spice Girl and pop icon Melanie C, stand up comedian Rob Beckett, World famous Drag artist Courtney Act and star of Bad Education and West End hit Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Layton Williams who will offer their thoughts on our famous novices as they attempt to master this flamboyantly entertaining skill.
This one off TV special will see Coronation Street favourite Simon Gregson, fitness icon Mr Motivator MBE, Love Island star and TV presenter Chris Hughes, member of popband Union J and I’m A Celebrity runner up George Shelley, actor and soap star legend Adam Woodyatt and England rugby star Joe Marler, unleashing their drag alter-egos as they attempt to go head to head to be crowned the winning Queen.
This primetime celebrity drag contest pairs each wannabe queen with their very own drag mentor, as they attempt to master this uniquely difficult craft. Our celebrity wannabes will not only have to perfect wearing the highest of the heels but also hone one of the distinctive disciplines that each drag artist will expertly enact, from singing, dancing, lip syncing, impression, comedy or Dragic! (Drag magic). Performing live in front of a panel of expert judges and a live studio audience only one celebrity can be crowned the ultimate winner.
The show will see some of the most successful Drag Queens in the business become mentors to each of the celebrities. Blu Hydrangea, Kitty Scott-Claus, La Voix, Myra DuBois, Asttina Mandella, Margo Marshall will be using their expert knowledge to guide and teach our famous students, as they prepare and perfect their drag personas. Viewers will witness every step of the process, from mastering the killer heels, fine tuning their comic timing and bringing to life a breathtaking character through costume and make up. The process will culminate for each of the celebrities in a cabaret style performance as they showcase their newly acquired drag talents. Voted by the studio audience, who will capture the hearts of the public to be crowned their Queen For The Night?
Karen Smith is the Executive Producer and Rory Dalziel the Series Producer for Tuesday’s Child. The show is commissioned by Katie Rawcliffe, Head of Entertainment Commissioning for ITV, Joe Mace, Commissioning Editor for ITV and David Smyth, Commissioner, Entertainment for ITV.
Katie Rawcliffe said “Queens For The Night will have all the wow factor you would expect from this wonderful celebration of drag, and a perfect way to showcase everything that makes drag performance such a sensation.”
Karen Smith, Executive Producer says “Queens For The Night will deliver jaw-dropping transformations, heart-warming stories, high-heeled hilarity and must-see performances as Britain’s best drag queens share their world and mentor big name celebrities to perform for a glamorous panel. It’ll be wall-to-wall fabulousness.”
Lorraine Kelly says, “I’m so excited to be hosting this show. I am a huge fan of Drag and can not wait to see a host of well known stars embrace this uniquely wonderful and uplifting skill. It's a show that will have humour, warmth and above all lots and lots of glamour, I can’t wait to get started.”
Courtney Act says, This is going to be a fabulous show. The celebrities might be new to this, but I won't hold back with my critique. They might all be experts in their own fields but they're stepping into my domain now and I want to see some exceptional performances. The bar is high so they need to bring their 'A' game.
Rob Beckett says, “I know just how hard this is after attempting Drag myself with my mate Romesh. I love Drag I think it's such an underappreciated art-form. The celebrities will find out that it's more than just putting on makeup and heels, there is such a skill to it and when done right is such a joy to watch. Will I be tempted to pop on the heels one more time? Who knows….maybe!”
Melanie C says, “I’ve always been a huge fan of drag and in 2019, I was lucky enough to do a World Tour or Prides with some of the most wonderful and creative queens out there! On that tour I really learnt what’s needed to cut the mustard on this fabulous world and I can’t wait to see how our celebrities measure up with their incredible mentors guiding them every step of the way.”
Layton Williams said, “It’s so fab that we get to celebrate Drag and showcase this wonderfully entertaining craft. There's so much talent within the Drag community and the viewers at home will get to see how much hard work goes into the art form. I hope the celebrities know what they’ve gotten themselves in for! Don’t be a drag, just be a queen… I’m so thrilled to be a part of this show.”
