RuPaul's Drag Race UK series 5

The fifth series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK began airing on BBC Three on 28 September 2023. RuPaul returned to his role as main host and head judge, and was again joined on the judging panel by Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton, all of whom returned for their respective fifth series. The series began filming in Pinewood Studios in January 2023. The cast for the fifth series was announced on 11 September 2023 on social media.

Production
On 2 September 2022, prior to the beginning of the fourth series, it was announced via the shows social media pages that casting for the fifth series was now open. Applications remained open for two weeks until closing on 16 September 2022.

The fifth series of the show began filming in January 2023. Carol Vorderman was revealed to be appearing in a celebrity cameo in the fifth series of the show. Sophie Ellis-Bextor was subsequently spotted arriving to film the show. Sinitta was previously reported to have been signed as a guest judge for the fifth series, with a source stating: "Sinitta is one of the most exciting signings in the show's history. She's a bona fide gay icon and loves outrageous outfits, so she's perfect for Drag Race". Prior to the series, the show came under scrutiny for the contestants not receiving any cash prize compared to the other Drag Race franchises. Willam, who was a contestant on the fourth season of the American version, commented: "They need to pay the girls a prize. That is thousands and thousands and thousands of pounds worth of outfits and hair. Some of these girls are coming out in the red." Danny Beard, who won the previous series, said that they "could have bought a house", with the money spent preparing for RuPaul's Drag Race UK. On 30 August 2023, the BBC revealed the line up of guest judges and special guests for the fifth series including: Vorderman, Ellis-Bextor, Yasmin Finney, Suranne Jones, Kristen McMenamy, Karen Hauer, Aisling Bea, who appeared as a special guest in the previous series, Joel Dommett, Edward Enninful, Alexandra Burke, Cush Jumbo and Daphne Guinness who previously served as a guest judge on the seventh season of the American version spin-off RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

On 12 September 2023 an aftershow, named The After Shave with Danny Beard, was announced. In this series, the equivalent version of the American Whatcha Packin' , features series 4 winner Danny Beard and guest, typically a former contestant from British adaptation, discussing the recently aired episode, besides interviewing the most recently eliminated queen about their run on the show. It has been reported that an eleventh contestant, Crystal Lubrikant, was initially cast on the season, but was disqualified at some point during filming due to alleged misconduct. The contestant was later edited out of episodes prior to her disqualification, and she was not included in either the cast announcement or any other promotional material relating to the series.

Contestants
Ages, names, and cities stated are at time of filming.

Lip syncs
Legend: {{legend|gold|The contestant won the lip sync to win the challenge.}} {{legend|lightblue|The contestant was eliminated after their first time in the bottom.}} {{legend|lightgreen|The contestant was eliminated after their second time in the bottom.}} {{legend|tomato|The contestant was eliminated after their fourth time in the bottom.}} {{legend|#D4AF37|The contestant won the Lip Sync for the Crown and was declared the winner of the season.}}

Guest judges
Listed in chronological order:


 * Kristen McMenamy, model
 * Yasmin Finney, actress
 * Sophie Ellis-Bextor, singer-songwriter
 * Suranne Jones, actress
 * Cush Jumbo, actress and writer
 * Alexandra Burke, singer-songwriter and actress
 * Joel Dommett, comedian, television presenter and actor
 * Daphne Guinness, designer, actor, producer and musician
 * Aisling Bea, comedian, actress and writer

Special guests
Guests who appeared in episodes, but did not judge on the main stage.

Episode 1
 * Blu Hydrangea, contestant on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK and winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
 * Jimbo, contestant on the first season of Canada's Drag Race, the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World, and winner of the eighth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
 * Lady Camden, runner-up on the fourteenth season of RuPaul's Drag Race
 * Nicky Doll, contestant on the twelfth season of RuPaul's Drag Race and host of Drag Race France
 * Pangina Heals, co-host of Drag Race Thailand and contestant on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race: UK vs. the World
 * Silky Nutmeg Ganache, contestant on the eleventh season RuPaul's Drag Race, the sixth season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars and runner-up on the first season of Canada's Drag Race: Canada vs. the World
 * Sminty Drop, contestant on the fourth series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK

Episode 2
 * Edward Enninful, editor and stylist

Episode 3
 * Ian Masterson, record producer and songwriter

Episode 4
 * Raven, runner-up on both RuPaul's Drag Race Season 2 and All Stars Season 1

Episode 5
 * Dane Chaflin, director and vocal coach
 * Karen Hauer, dancer and choreographer

Episode 6
 * Carol Vorderman, broadcaster and media personality

Episode 10
 * Claudimar Neto, dancer and choreographer
 * Danny Beard, winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series 4