ITV Commissions Tuesday’s Child for Queens for the Night

Queens for the Night, a drag competition created and produced by Tuesday’s Child, is set to launch on ITV and ITV Hub later this year.

Queens for the Night sees a selection of famous faces undergoing the ultimate drag makeover. Drag superfan Lorraine Kelly will serve as host, alongside a judging panel that features Spice Girl and pop icon Melanie C, stand-up comedian Rob Beckett, drag artist Courtney Act and star of Bad Education and West End hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Layton Williams.

The one-off TV special will see Coronation Street favorite Simon Gregson, fitness legend Mr Motivator MBE, Love Island star and TV presenter Chris Hughes, member of pop band Union J and I’m a Celebrity runner-up George Shelley, actor and soap star icon Adam Woodyatt and England rugby star Joe Marler go head-to-head to win the coveted title of ‘Queens for the Night.’

Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning for ITV, 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, added: “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.”

Kelly said, “I’m so excited to be hosting this show. I am a huge fan of drag and cannot wait to see a host of well-known stars embrace this uniquely wonderful and uplifting skill. It’s a show that will have humor, warmth and above all lots and lots of glamour, I can’t wait to get started.”

Act said,” 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.”

Beckett said, “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 said, “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 learned 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.”

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.”