RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Casts Love Island’s Curtis Pritchard And Brother AJ For Coaching Role

Curtis Pritchard will be sashaying his way out of the Love Island villa and straight onto the main stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. 

It has been announced the reality star will serve as a coach on the upcoming BBC Three series alongside his brother, Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard

Curtis Pritchard in the Love Island villa

The pair will be helping the competing queens through some testing challenges, alongside singer and Drag Race fan MNEK.

Curtis, who is also a professional ballroom dancer like his brother, said: “I jump at the chance of working with my brother anytime anything together comes up, so doing that and being asked to be part of something so iconic was a yes from me!”

In a statement, AJ said: “I am such a fan of RuPaul and was honoured to be asked to work on the UK show.  We had an amazing time working with the queens and cannot wait for you to see the performance.”

Curtis with brother AJ, who will both be coaches on Drag Race UK

The brother’s stint on the show was filmed prior to Curtis’ entrance into the Love Island villa last month, where he is currently coupled up with Maura Higgins

MNEK, who has written  for some of the music industry’s biggest stars including Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Little Mix and Dua Lipa, also said: “I had so much fun working with the queens on Drag Race UK! The public is in for a real treat.”

MNEK will also serve as a coach

Drag Race UK will debut on BBC Three this autumn, with regular judges RuPaul and Michelle Visage both making the jump across the pond for the new series.

Joining them on the panel each week will be Alan Carr and Graham Norton in rotating appearances, while a number of other guest judges have already been confirmed.

Last week saw singer and former X Factor judge Cheryl announced as a guest panellist, alongside former model Twiggy. 

They join Hollywood star Andrew Garfield, Chewing Gum’s Michaela Coel, Game Of Thrones actress Maisie Williams, Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix and Spice Girls singer Geri Horner.

It was recently confirmed that a Canadian version of Drag Race is now in the works, following Brooke Lynn Hytes’ success in this year’s American series.

Drag Race Thailand – the show’s first international edition – has been well-received, with a third series currently in production.