Corrie's Simon Gregson gets a drag makeover in Queens for the Night

Five other famous faces will join him in the competition!

Author: Emma DoddsPublished 31st Oct 2022

Coronation Street star Simon Gregson has teamed up with five other male celebrities to take part in drag queen competition, Queens for the Night! The soap star, best known for his portrayal of Steve MacDonald, will compete under his drag ego Bidet Bardot on the show hosted by Lorraine Kelly.

Simon will compete against EastEnders' Adam Woodyatt, Love Island's Chris Hughes, Mr Motivator, rugby star Joe Marler and popstar George Shelley, being mentored by real-life drag queens in an "attempt to master the disciplines of drag, from singing, dancing, lip syncing, impression, comedy or Dragic (Drag magic)!"

ITV have unveiled two famous faces as their drag selves - Simon and Mr Motivator - but have kept the other under wraps, encouraging fans to tune in to see the others... Here's what the celebs have said about taking part in the show.

Scroll through to see which celebrities will be taking part in Queens for the Night:

Simon Gregson as Bidet Bardot

Drag Mentor: Myra DuBois

Drag Skill: Comedy

Simon said he will be a "larger than life drag queen, very loud - I think that fits in with me quite well," adding that he's very nervous: "It's very, very nerve wracking. First time on stage, first time I'm going to be doing what I'm going to be doing. The nerves are riding high. It's a new territory for me, so we will see how I get on."
His drag mentor Myra DuBois said: "I am absolutely chomping at the bit to be part of the show, I'm tickled pink, absolutely thrilled. I hope my celebrity has a hard work ethic, a can-do attitude and also isn't too much of a threat to my career when this is over!"

Mr. Motivator as Proteina Turner

Drag Mentor: Asttina Mandella

Drag Skill: Lip Syncing

Mr. Motivator revealed he's having "the time of my life," adding: "When you step out of your comfort zone and you do something you've never done and to have the support of Asttina who is great. It's just wonderful especially at my wonderful age of nearly 70!"

He offered advice to those watching: "I say, be stupid, be crazy, be whatever because life is too short to be anything but happy. Hopefully by going through this process I will learn so much more."

He also revealed what he'll take away from the experience: "I managed to walk a mile in someone else's shoes and that has opened my eyes, I am now richer for the experience."

His drag mentor Asttina Mandella added: "I love my art form because it's the only thing I've really ever known and it's more than just an art to me - it's my life. I can't wait to share my knowledge with my celebrity."

Adam Woodyatt as Madame MiMi D’YooYoo

Drag Mentor: Kitty Scott-Claus

Drag Skill: Impressions

EastEnders legend Adam Woodyatt opened up about why he wanted to take part in the show: "I want to try different roles, I want to try and push myself, stretch myself and I think I'm going to have that challenge when I attempt to become a drag queen," adding that the only thing he's done similar is "a little bit of drag for Children In Need years ago, but nothing like this."

He added of being nervous: "What can possibly go wrong? Well, I can forget my lines for one. I could trip over the dress. I could trip over my heels and my wig could fall over my eyes. Who knows what could happen on the night!"

His mentor Kitty Scott-Claus added: "I'm so excited to be partnered with Adam. I'm going to show him the ropes, I'm going to be his stage mother. My advice will be to get on stage, get your heels on and make me laugh!"

Chris Hughes as Orla Feelz

Drag Mentor: Margo Marshall

Drag Skill: Dance

Love Island star Chris Hughes revealed why he wanted to take part: "I want to be a drag queen because in this world there's so much toxic masculinity issues, it's stigmatised. I'm a very emotional person, I cry on camera all the time whenever discussing emotional things. I'm a man and we should be able to cry. It's great to be able to break that stigma down and people should be able to be themselves. If you want to cry, if you want to wear heels, if you want to wear makeup, it doesn't matter who you are, you should be able to do your thing."

His mentor Margo Marshall added: "I love drag because it completely breaks down all gender and it shows that it's gender aesthetics. We pile up ourselves into whatever fabulous creature we want to be. I am so excited to do this show and bring some new drag royalty into this world!"

Joe Marler as Trixie Turnover

Drag Mentor: Blu Hydrangea

Drag Skill: Magic

Joe wanted to take part in the show because he wanted to "try something different, get out of my comfort zone and why not try drag. It's great fun."

On what qualities he thinks are most important in a drag queen, he said: "I think there's lots of different qualities you need to be successful in drag. Strong calves are probably up there, but the main one is the ability to free yourself up, let yourself go and just go with the character as much as you can. You can't panic too much about what people are going to think."

His mentor Blu Hydrangea said: "I'm so excited to be a part of this show, to give a celebrity a chance to take a look through my eyes at the world of drag, it's just incredible. I hope they find as much love for it as I have. I hope that they are ready to get whipped into shape!"

George Shelley as Dame Shelley Sassy

Drag Mentor: La Voix

Drag Skill: Singing

George revealed why he wanted to be involved in the show: "I've always wanted to do drag, I love art and this is an art form and it's always something I've seen other people do and I've really respected them. I want to put myself in their shoes, quite literally in their heels, and this will be an amazing opportunity to break free. This must be the most out of the box thing I have ever done in my career."

He added of what appealed to him about the concept of drag: "The Drag community is absolutely beautiful. It's colourful, it's everything that I want from life. For the first time I'm being part of that. I'm able to celebrate being gay and I'm able to celebrate being feminine and being all the parts of myself that I've had to keep inside a box for so long."

Who will host Queens for the Night?

Queen of morning TV Lorraine Kelly is a drag superfan, and is helming the competition.

Who is on the judging panel?

Lorraine will be joined by Spice Girl Mel C, stand-up comedian Rob Beckett, drag superstar Courtney Act and West End star of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Layton Williams.

What happens on the show?

ITV say: "Performing live in front of a panel of expert judges and a live studio audience only one celebrity can be crowned the ultimate winner.

"The show will see some of the most successful Drag Queens in the business become mentors to each of the celebrities. Blu Hydrangea, Kitty Scott-Claus, La Voix, Myra DuBois, Asttina Mandella, Margo Marshall will be using their expert knowledge to guide and teach our famous students, as they prepare and perfect their drag personas.

"Viewers will witness every step of the process, from mastering the killer heels, fine tuning their comic timing and bringing to life a breathtaking character through costume and make up. The process will culminate for each of the celebrities in a cabaret style performance as they showcase their newly acquired drag talents. Voted by the studio audience, who will capture the hearts of the public?"