Drag Race UK fans call out ‘awkward’ Ella Henderson lip-sync

Drag Race UK glued its lace down and pinned its wig in tight with its latest rollercoaster episode.

A frontrunner lip-syncing to Tory conference chanteuse Ella Henderson, the über shady ‘Naff-ta’ awards, a bingo-themed design challenge and just the right amount of mounting tension – episode three was not one to miss.

Leomie Anderson guest judges, giving face face face and some genuinely useful critiques – which is not always the case for guest judges. Also, her jokes were funny! Raise your hand if you’re still screaming at ‘Bella Ha-didn’t’.

One of the best judges of all time. Gave such good helpful critiques #dragraceuk pic.twitter.com/crQ9t22m55

— KANDY (@couleedelrey1) October 6, 2022

Leomie was such a lovely judge on #DragRaceUK positive, engaged and first in line with the corny puns, really fun!

— Rach (@raerhi) October 7, 2022

There was also shade a-plenty – shoutout to Cheddar Gorgeous for religiously not understanding Sminty Drop’s ‘Old Maiden’ comment (a reference to Tiffany ‘New York’ Pollard from Celebrity Big Brother).

In the mini challenge, the queens got into quick drag to find out the results of the ‘Naff-ta’ awards – shady categories they voted for themselves, with a trophy inspired by the iconic RuPaul Christmas ornament.

When you order something online vs when it arrives. #DragRaceUK @dragraceukbbc pic.twitter.com/o4SWGtcgwl

— RuPaul’s Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) October 6, 2022

“I hope this email finds you well!”
How the email found me…@dragraceukbbc #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/5AeAeZEWWU

— Bella DeBall ✨ (@Bella_DeBall_) October 6, 2022

The winners were:

• Beast in Show (Best Competitor) – Black Peppa
• Best Background Actress in a Non-Speaking Role (competitor who fades into the background) – Copper Topp
• Best Scene-Stealing, Attention Grabbing, Camera Hog – Danny Beard
• Best Actress Resting on Pretty – Baby
• Best Hot Mess – Sminty Drop

Some of the Drag Race UK queens were upset by their wins – Danny less so.

“If someone else got this, they might be pressed. I’m loving it,” said our resident camera hog.

The queens were then paired off to design looks inspired by the bingo hall (how very British), with each pair assigned a colour.

#DragRaceUK Episode 3 without context pic.twitter.com/aUXI3N4JW2

— Sam R (@Sazaleeno) October 6, 2022

Ru including a green box in every colour-based designed challenge is just such an amusing 🖕🏼 to Michelle #DragRaceUK

— Emily Tammes (@EmilyTammes) October 7, 2022

You cant tell me the queens weren’t thinking about this dress when they saw the green box #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/WuSX3s3jym

— shia_virgo (@born_nakedd) October 7, 2022

The queens had a brief werk room discussion surrounding dating and drag, including the revelation that Pixie Polite used to be in a relationship with season two icon Tia Kofi.

After some classic sewing challenge disasters and a few genuinely brilliant looks, the winners of the challenge were announced to be Baby and Dakota Schiffer, a Ru-demption moment for Baby after she lost out on a badge last week.

Sminty Drop and Le Fil were also given high praise, elongating Sminty’s yo-yo-like track record.

SO OBSESSED WITH THESE LOOKS!!!!!!!!!!! #DRAGRACEUK @dakota_schiffer @bby_ldn pic.twitter.com/92sJfeeyDa

— drag race stan! (@naominotsosmall) October 7, 2022

Me watching Dakota Schiffer go from BTM2 to WIN WIN #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/pNOJCCQWSj

— 𝔞𝔭𝔦𝔣𝔣𝔞𝔫𝔶 𖤐 (@dragraceher) October 6, 2022

Baby getting the badge she was robbed of last week IKTR!! #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/4g1jn7lxyu

— Seddera Side⚡️ (@sedderaside) October 6, 2022

Black Peppa, Jonbers Blond, Cheddar Gorgeous and Copper Topp all found themselves in the bottom, Peppa and Copper lip-syncing.

The joy of seeing Black Peppa dominate the lip-sync, however, was slightly marred by the choice of song.

It featured none other than Ella Henderson, who came under fire for performing at the Conservative Party Conference this week.

me seeing black peppa land in the bottom then realizing we can finally see her lipsync #DragRaceUK: pic.twitter.com/X9izTjZCBv

— tash ᱬ🎃 (@alecberame) October 6, 2022

the lipsync song? oh how awkward…#DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/BGY1dYJby8

— wil justice ミ☆ (@spideywil921) October 6, 2022

There could not have been a WORSE week for an Ella Henderson lip sync 💀 #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/OKAJnBjmV9

— Carl (@_carlbxrch) October 6, 2022

#DragRaceUK fans tonight pic.twitter.com/M6BvbFyYhG

— SHANE REACTION (@imshanereaction) October 6, 2022

Despite the song choice, though, fans all got their collective lives to the performance, with Copper putting up a good fight against Peppa.

BLACK PEPPA WAS THE F*CKING MOMENT!! #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/UvfFZvEeFn

— vini by nature! 🫅🏾 (@rpdrbynature) October 7, 2022

Black Peppa did that in a platform heel everyone…. #DragRaceUK

— Akomolede Oluwaseun Adisa (@AdisaAkomolede) October 7, 2022

It was, however, not meant to be for the Cheltenham babe, who left the stage with the iconic line: “So a top can bottom”.  That is the versatility the judges are looking for.

Fans have been showing their love for Copper and showering their praises on the season in general.

Just wanna give so much love to @CopperToppQueen, Cheltenham babe – you’ve been amazing these last 3 episodes and I can’t wait to see what’s next after the show. Shine bright, Copper! 🙌🏻🖤 #DragRaceUK

— Naomi Sanders, Professional Fangirl (@naomisnews) October 7, 2022

I still can’t get over how iconic Baby and Dakota were as a pair. Just infectiously positive and they absolutely killed it. Had a big stupid grin on my face whenever they were on screen 🥰 #dragraceuk

— Erinserhead Baby (@ErinT_251) October 7, 2022

Next week on Drag Race UK, Alison Hammond joins the judging panel in what is guaranteed to be the most iconic episode to date.

Drag Race UK airs on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer Thursdays at 9pm.