Eight became seven this week, as the drag queens continued in their bid to be crowned The UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar on BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

In tonight’s episode, Baby, 25 from London became the fifth queen to sashay away from the competition. After performing in Lairy Poppins the Rusical, and strutting down the runway as a West End Leading Lady, Baby found herself in the bottom two, facing Dakota Schiffer as they both lip synced for their lives to No Way from SIX: The Musical.

However, as the energetic lip sync battle drew to an end, Baby raised her hand to tell Ru that she had made the decision to leave the competition, saying: “I’m extremely grateful for being here but I think, I need to go home and take care of myself.”

RuPaul told Baby: “I respect that. Baby, I love you. We all love you. Take care of yourself and remember what I told you. Now, Sashay Away.”

This week, actress Hannah Waddingham joined RuPaul, Michelle Visage and Alan Carr on the judging panel.

Hannah Waddingham said of Baby’s challenge performance: “I want you to feel really good about yourself because I feel like you don’t feel it at the moment.”

Baby responded, “I have anxiety and I’ve been trying to dig myself out of that feeling but I’ve been having a tough time. I know that I’m capable of doing this and it’s so annoying feeling this way.”

Baby continued, “I feel so relieved and so proud of myself. I feel like everything I wanted to show here I have but it’s time to go. The sisterhood in the Werk Room has been like nothing I have ever experienced. I know that these girls are my friends for life.”

In a message to her fellow queens, Baby left a message on the mirror of the Werk Room mirror, saying: “Hands up say “bye Baby” but not for long. Love you all. XOXO“

The remaining seven queens go forward to next week as they continue to battle it out to be crowned the UK’s Next Drag Superstar. RuPaul’s Drag Race UK returns on Thursday 27 October from 9pm on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

YASS met baby and we asked all we needed to learn!

Tell us about your Drag Race UK journey?
My time on Drag Race was an incredible opportunity to showcase me! The moment I walked in to that Werk Room, I gave it everything I had! No one puts Baby in a corner, obviously! It was fun and hard all at the same time, I got to showcase some looks that I’m really proud of, and I made some great friendships along the way.

I loved my fellow sisters, it really does become a sisterhood. They really are all so lovely and talented. Having the opportunity to work alongside so many people with such a high standard of drag really made me want to step up and I’ve definitely taken new learnings forward into my drag now. I look even better!

What are your Drag Race highlights?
My number one highlight was having FKA twigs tell me that I’m a natural performer. I will put that on a T-shirt, wear it and sell that forever! She is my inspiration and I think she’s a pioneer in her field so that was an amazing experience for me. It was also great to showcase my cultural identity, with my Rastamouse BBC runway look, and my “Ru Are Ya“ runway look, which I’m especially proud of, as it really speaks of my North London roots. It was a loving homage to my nan, my sister, cousins and aunts, who I always wanted to dress like when I was a kid! I loved working with Dakota on our design challenge, and all the praise we got was IN-credible! Leomie Anderson said it was supermodel serve! And also, Alison Hammond said she loved my dreadlocks for my “mane category runway look”– that meant a lot to me as my boyfriend and I spent hours building and braiding that outfit!

I’ve had so much love, it’s been a bit overwhelming, and I’ve also heard on the grapevine that news of my journey on Drag Race UK has reached Jamaica, where they’re all rooting for me! I’m second generation Jamaican immigrant, but I’ve never visited Jamaica so that’s pretty amazing to hear.

Why did you choose to leave?

Believe me, it wasn’t an easy decision. I don’t really like to quit or give up, but at that time, I knew it was the best decision for me. I was struggling with my anxiety, and I know I needed to prioritise my wellbeing, and the best way to do that was to leave the competition but I’m so proud I was able to have the opportunity to show my art and my heart.

Where’s Baby’s happy place?

When I’m at home chilling. I’m quite an introvert really – no really, I am! I’m not unsociable, but I work hard. Sometimes I’m gigging every night of the week and flitting between fashion shoots and fittings during the day – she’s busy! But, I know my boundaries, so when I finish a gig, I love to jump in a cab and get home.

What’s next for Baby?

I love music and I just want to perform! I’ve been singing and dancing since I was eight. I’m a stage school kid, who went on to The BRIT School – remember, I have a degree in song writing! Song writing is very much an outlet for my feelings, so I’ve written a song called ‘Theatre‘ – it’s a personal song about me, and it’s out today!

More Baby:

Meet Baby: https://twitter.com/dragraceukbbc/status/1567429042172731393

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bby_ldn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bby.ldn