Start your engines: Dundee’s Ellie Diamond made quite the first impression in the first episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, wowing judges with a Denace the Menace catwalk look.
The 21-year-old paid homage to her home city in season two’s opening episode, crediting Beano comics for her cartoon-inspired style.
Ellie made an entrance when the second season launched on BBC iPlayer on Thursday, dressed head to toe in pink, but it was her maxi challenge runway outfit which earned the judge’s praise and a place in the top three.
❤️🖤 What an awesome homage to Dennis the Menace from @elliediamond101 tonight! Making #Dundee proud indeed with that incredible look! #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/EA34nfaKy1
— Dundee Culture (@DundeeCulture) January 14, 2021
Contestants were asked to pick a look to honour their home towns and Ellie did not disappoint, donning red, black and a huge wig, inspired by Dennis the Menace, created by DC Thomson’s Beano.
Show host and drag icon RuPaul was full of praise for the young star, saying: “Your face is gorgeous.
“You are painted down.”
Judge and television presenter Graham Norton called the comic-inspired look “genius”.
He said: “You have done Dundee proud.
“This is such a clever outfit.
“To take Dennis the Menace and turn it into this kind of vampy, 1940s pin-up is genius.
“So beautiful. Really stunning.”
Fellow judge Michelle Visage said it is “incredible” that Ellie makes all of her own costumes, while guest judge Liz Hurley called the outfit “fantastically clever”.
During the episode, Ellie spoke of how Dundee’s association with comics inspired her unique style.
She said: “I chose Dennis the Menace as my hometown look because he was originally created in Dundee in 1951 by the Beano.
“My drag is definitely inspired by cartoons.
“I love to use bright colours. 99.9% of everything I brought to Drag Race is made by me.”
After the episode aired, Ellie said she was “so emotional” about the compliments she received.
Hearing @michellevisage and @RuPaul speak so highly of my makeup and overall drag look made me so emotional tonight! Thank you for all the love!! It means the world! #teamellie @dragraceukbbc @bbcthree
— Ellie Diamond (@elliediamond101) January 15, 2021
The queens were also asked to choose a British gay icon or ally to represent, with Ellie opting for comedian Paul O’Grady’s drag personality, Lily Savage.
Ellie said: “Lily Savage to me is the queer icon of her time.
“My mum used to talk about her a lot so as much as I’m representing Lily Savage, I’m also doing it for my mum.”
But celebrations were dampened for the young star as her Instagram account was hacked just hours after the episode aired.
Means the absolute world! Yes my Instagram has been hacked and I can’t access my account at all but that won’t stop me from enjoying this moment! Everything is just abit much and will take a couple of days to fix! Thank you all for the love and support xxx
— Ellie Diamond (@elliediamond101) January 15, 2021
She said: “I am still trying to get my head around what has happened.
“Last night was such an amazing moment and not to blow my own trumpet but I’m so so proud.
“I’ve worked so hard on these looks and that fact that people are receiving them they way I hoped.
“I can’t access my account at all but that won’t stop me from enjoying this moment.
“Thank you all for the love and support.”
The season continues on BBC iPlayer, with new episodes aired on Thursdays at 7pm.