The second episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Versus The World aired earlier during the week and RuPaul Charles, Michelle Visage and Alan Carr returned to the main stage to critique the international queens, this time alongside special celebrity guest judge Daisy May Cooper.

In episode one, which last week marked the triumphant return of BBC Three to television screens, Pangina Heals (Thailand) and Jimbo (Canada) were named top two and challenged to the first lip-sync. With Pangina named as the  winner, it was then up to her to decide which of the bottom two queens, Janey Jacké (The Netherlands) or Lemon (Canada), to eliminate. Unfortunately for Canada, It was Lemon’s time to Sashay Away…

The second episode opened with the aftermath of last week’s elimination. Jimbo revealed that she would have chosen Janey to be eliminated, had she won the lip-sync, causing ripples in the workroom.

But… it was time for a new day in the workroom. And the category was: It Do Take Nerve.

For this week’s Maxi Challenge, the queens were thrown a RuPaul Ball.

Each of the queens were asked to serve three looks with the categories: “Kitty Girl”, “Butch Queen” and “You Wear It Well”. The final outfit would be made from scratch…. A dress that Mama Ru herself would want to wear. A sewing challenge!

After the queens served their looks, RuPaul chose Jimbo and Janey as the top two queens of the week, while Jujubee (USA) and Cheryl (UK) were placed in the bottom.

Jimbo and Janey were then presented with the ultimate choice: if they win the lip-sync challenge, who would they eliminate?

After lip-syncing to RuPaul’s Supermodel, RuPaul declared Janey Jacké a winner, baby!

The Drag Race Holland queen revealed that the queen she had chosen to eliminate was Drag Race UK representative, Cheryl Hole:

“Making this decision is the hardest thing to do to these girls who I have looked up to and been following for so long. But we have to make the decision and I have to go with my gut, based on what happened in the challenge.”

RuPaul said: “As it is written, so it shall be done. Cheryl Hole, you are and will always be a global phenomenon.”

Cheryl said: “Thank you for seeing something special in me that I’ve never seen in myself. And it’s very on brand! No badges Chez. Once again. I’m never gonna get a badge am I?! Bye Divas I love you all. See you all in Essex… when you actually visit me.”

Cheryl left a note in lipstick on the workroom mirror, saying: “I wasn’t threatened. Still not FRETEND! Love you divas. XOXO Cheryl Hole. P.S. Going for that piss now!”

The remaining seven queens go forward to next week as they continue to battle it out to be crowned the first Queen of the World when RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Versus The World returns on Tuesday 15 February from 9pm exclusively on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

How did you feel coming back to the set?
It truly was such a great feeling. I felt so confident and ready to go again. The first time you really are finding your feet with how to play the game of Drag Race but this time, it was like coming back to your childhood home, when you’ve been away at university. You knew where everything was- the cups in that cupboard, spoons over there…. that meant I could get myself straight into the game and be ready to fight!

What was it like to compete alongside your international drag sisters in Drag Race UK Versus The World?
I was so lucky to be going into the season with existing relationships with the international divas that I knew we were gonna have a good time but it really did add an element of surprise to the competition seeing how they navigated Drag Race UK. I was just so excited to see what they bought but also show them that I wasn’t there to be counted out- even though they tried!

Would you do anything differently if you could do it all over again?
I would tell Ru to scrap all sewing challenges indefinitely cos they’re NAFF! No, in all honesty I wouldn’t change a thing. Love me or hate me- and trust me some people really do love to hate, I was so proud in everything that I brought to the table. If I’d have had to lip sync to stay in the competition, everyone one of those divas there would have been going home. But it’s the nature of the game. Would I do a Jujubee and come back if they asked me again? Let’s see in the future. For now, in the words of the GC, I just wanna be me!

Is there anything you want to say to your sisters?
We are so lucky to have gone through this crazy experience together. I have such mad respect for every single one of those queens in the competition. I don’t have a bad word to say about anyone because I always see the good in these queens.

Every one of my sisters has shown me so much love, for which I’m eternally grateful. Yes, we have to send each other home, but it’s a game –  there’s no malice behind it, and you play the game and people go home. The people left in the competition are so talented and I can’t wait to see them showcase it week after week! 

What’s next for Cheryl?
You know me, I’m the hustler. Nothing in my life has been handed to me and I have worked so hard to prove people wrong and I will just continue to do so. I just want to keep doing what I’m most passionate about which is drag. Elevate it more, show the depth of my creativity beyond the four walls of the work room and take it to the next level. I’m so excited for everyone to hear my new single, ‘Need The Power’ which drops on Friday and the music video which I produced too. I’m more than just a mediocre queen from Essex, I am THE queen of Essex! And I hope you all just continue to follow me on this fun, crazy journey! I can’t thank you all enough for the support and belief in me, it means the world. 

The dancing diva of Essex, Cheryl Hole won the hearts of the UK and beyond with her quick-witted catchphrases and showgirl glamour in series one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. A mainstay of the UK Drag scene, Cheryl has toured globally and established herself as a true icon and Essex Queen. Cheryl placed fourth on series one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.

You can watch her Meet The Queens film here.