SPECIAL THANKS TO JASMINE ALOMA AND SOFIE VAN DE GRAMPEL AT THE BBC

“After that cabaret talent show I was like, ‘Get me my suitcases, let’s go!'” says Charra Tea. Fortunately for viewers, Drag Race UK’s garish icon persevered and delivered one of the franchise’s most unpredictable trajectories in the process, from safe-safe-safe-safe-to-waaaasp! Her bonkers Snatch Game performance of Nadine Coyle *as* Mary Poppins almost snatched her the win, while her Kylie Minogue homage Padam-ed its way into the Rusical herstory books. (Kylie approved, too!)

Episode eight saw the return of the staple makeover, with Charra transforming her beautiful mother Pamela into ‘Mama Tea’. An absolute bawl-athon, the latest instalment of Drag Race UK was – once again – lauded by fans and critics as one of the franchise’s finest hours. So much so, that RuPaul’s decision to send a contestant home felt rather unnecessary, eliciting a shocked response from viewers. Sadly, that queen was Charra, who was defeated at the hands of Rileasa Slaves to Rick Astley’s 80s classic ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’.

“In Untucked, me and Marmalade were like, ‘We’re gonna lip-sync for the win.’ So when Marmalade won and me and Rileasa were stood there I was like, ‘Right… right… My turn [for a] badge!'” Charra tells GAY TIMES. “Then Ru was like, ‘You’re both up for elimination’ and then ‘Rileasa, shantay you stay.’ I was waiting for a, ‘Kandy [Muse], Kandy wait!’ and it just never happened.”

Read ahead (or watch below) for our full exit interview with Charra Tea, where she discusses her exit, her status as Drag Race UK’s underdog and why Nadine Coyle’s lack of response to her innovative and generation-defining (I said what I said) Snatch Game impersonation has left her “fuming”.

Charra, you alright babe?

[Pretends to cry.] Yeah I’m so good, thank you. I’ve got my crying makeup, I’m in my elimination outfit and I feel wonderful. I’m very, very happy.

So, that was one of the best episodes of Drag Race ever?

Right? I feel like, every week, it just keeps getting better and better, which is fabulous. I mean, next week will be rubbish because I’m not there.

And Derry Girls icon Siobhan McSweeney will be there… Like?

I know! I was like, ‘Could she have not been there week one? When I was dressed up as a Derry Girl, please?’ Timing, come on!