Dawn French, Maya Jama and Jessie Ware join RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series two’s guest judge line-up

Newly announced stars join Lorraine Kelly, Elizabeth Hurley and Sheridan Smith as guest judges on series two

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has secured an impressive line-up of guest judges ahead of its season two debut next month.

The televised competition will return to BBC Three on 14 January, with 12 new queens competing to be crowned the UK’s next drag superstar.

Following the announcement of this season’s contestants earlier this month, a star-studded roll call of celebrity guest judges is slowly being revealed via the show’s official Twitter account.

To the delight of fans, presenter Lorraine Kelly, actor and model Elizabeth Hurley, and actor Sheridan Smith have all been confirmed to appear as guest judges.

Most recently, comedian Dawn French, television presenter Maya Jama and singer Jessie Ware were all announced as additional guest judges in a Twitter post shared on Sunday (27 December).

Ware also confirmed the news on social media, retweeting the original announcement and voicing her excitement at joining the popular series. “Dreams do come true!!!!! Had such a great time with them. The Queens are fire, you’re going to LOVE them x,” she wrote.

Jama echoed the same sentiment in her own Twitter post, reading: “The way I love this show. Can. Not Wait!!!!”

French had confirmed her involvement in season two of BBC’s hit series back in October during an appearance on Ware’s Table Manners podcast.

The Vicar of Dibley star revealed that she had originally been asked to be a full-time judge, however, could not accept the position “because I just don’t live in London”.

Regular guest judge Alan Carr has also previously confirmed that he will be returning for the show’s second season.

Today (28 December), it was revealed that EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy – who plays Sonia Fowler on the hit soap – will also be making an “extra special cameo” appearance during season two.

As well as Cassidy, Drag Race star Raven, DJ and drag queen Jodie Harsh, and actor Jay Revell are also set to make cameos. 

As with series one, new episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will drop weekly on BBC iPlayer every Thursday at 7pm.

The first series was won by The Vivienne, with Baga Chipz and Divina de Campo also reaching the final.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns on Thursday 14 January at 7pm on BBC iPlayer.