HEADER BY YOSEF PHELAN
SPECIAL THANKS TO JASMINE ALOMA AND ELOISE LONGDEN AT THE BBC

As one of the most revered and beloved drag entertainers in the UK, all eyes were on Danny Beard to demolish this season of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

And she did just that: over the course of 10 weeks, Danny lived up to expectations with four RuPeter Badges – tying Bimini, Ella Vaday and her season four sister Cheddar Gorgeous for most wins – and never even landed in the bottom two (or even ‘low’ for the matter). From her unhinged impersonation of Davina McCall in The Squirrel Games to her General Erection roast, Danny – who made herstory as the first bearded queen on a RuPaul-hosted season – has provided British viewers with some of the year’s most iconic moments.

This week, Danny continued to break new ground for alternative drag when she conquered over Cheddar, Black Peppa and Jonbers Blonde in the Drag Race UK final, becoming the franchise’s first-ever bearded champion in the process. “I feel so full of love. I mean, this is my first interview today so I’m going to try and not cry!” she tells GAY TIMES. “I don’t think I’ve got any more tears left in me to cry, and they’re all happy tears. I’m over the moon.”

Here, we speak with the UK’s Next Drag Superstar about her unparalleled run on Drag Race UK season four, what her win means for the future of alternative entertainers on the franchise and – following comments from fans on social media – whether she would’ve been down for that double crowning with Cheddar.

Danny, huge condragulations! How are you feeling?

Darling, I’m sat in a hotel in central London, I couldn’t be more showbiz. I was in Heaven Nightclub last night judging Porn Idol… I got straight to work. I got handed a crown and went straight to work.

That’s the dream, right? Winning Drag Race and then judging a bunch of naked queers?

Do you know what I mean? That’s the best part about being a drag queen, isn’t it?

You must be buzzing today, right?

I’m buzzing. I’m all fur coat and no knickers. You’ll have to excuse me. But, I have had the best 24 hours ever, honestly. The reaction in the clubs last night… I’ve been sent videos of people all around the world filming the final and, honestly, it’s like gay football. People are out of their seats cheering. I feel so full of love. I mean, this is my first interview today so I’m going to try and not cry! I don’t think I’ve got any more tears left in me to cry, and they’re all happy tears. I’m over the moon.

Fuck the World Cup. This is our World Cup.

Yeah, fuck the World Cup.