Thirsty Drag Race UK fans proclaim Ella Vaday the trade of the season

Drag Race UK season three has landed and the internet has found a new obsession: thirsting over the queens.

On Thursday night (23 September), fans were introduced to the 12 queens fighting for a chance to become the UK’s next drag superstar.

The episode had more shocking twists and turns than a snake navigating a series of roundabouts – but perhaps the biggest gag of them all was meeting the queens out of drag and realising that actually, they’re all the trade of the season.

Why is every queen this season trade of the season I mean #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/iYv3bhMIIk

— Laura (@_sadz95) September 23, 2021

#DragRaceUK season 3 is the trade of the franchise

— Rob (@robsteers) September 23, 2021

While it’s impossible to call (because all the queens are gorgeous), several fans were seriously bowled over by Ella Vaday’s stunning looks on and off the stage.

Ella Vaday is so hot pic.twitter.com/hQ1PnwOf2y

— jake (@ItsMeJakeJ) September 24, 2021

Ella Vaday out of drag tho 😳 Oh my goodness me 🤤🥰 #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/XtsCaGJtmI

— Evan 🏳️‍🌈🇮🇪 (@_evanalrighty) September 23, 2021

Ella Vaday out of drag #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/AuPK3umPi6

— Tinder Fetta al Latte (@Pepkins88) September 23, 2021

Clearly, this is a debate that isn’t going to be settled any time soon.

Scarlet Harlett = twink trade. And I wanna see more 👀😍🥵#DragRaceUK

— Lewis John (@_ppoundcakee) September 23, 2021

#DragRaceUK SPOILER: @AnubisFinch is the trade of all seasons and y’all did her nasty. I hope she gets brought back! I can tell she has much more to offer! pic.twitter.com/lNxxeD09U8

— It’s Zed Ay Kay (@ZAKBRETHERTON) September 24, 2021

Early doors trade of the season award for @river_medway #DragRaceUK

— 🎃 Kris BOO Tweets 👻 (@KrisWhoTweets) September 23, 2021

Dubbed the “drag beast from Dagenham East”, Ella Vaday has starred in West End productions including Wicked and the Book of Mormon.

Her Instagram is not only filled with gorgeous drag looks but also the occasional workout selfie. Just if you needed to know, for science or something.

It wasn’t just Ella that fans fell in love with Thursday night. Choriza May won hearts with her instantly iconic entrance line – “Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful, hate me because I’m an immigrant” – Victoria Scone shut down any critics with stunning look after stunning look on the runway, and River Medway brought new meaning to statuesque.

And because RuPaul is a messy b***h who loves drama, we were treated to not one, but two lip-syncs, with both the top and bottom queens of the week going head-to-head.

After Krystal Versace beat off Victoria to claim this week’s Ru Peter Badge, it was down to Anubis and Elektra Fence to lip sync for their lives.

Elektra exploded onto the mainstage with more splits, flips and dips than is probably healthy for a person, sending Anubis packing.

Drag Race UK continues Thursdays at 7pm on the BBC iPlayer.