Shropshire Star

Bianca Del Rio to bring biggest solo drag queen tour to Arena Birmingham

RuPaul's Drag Race winner Bianca Del Rio is set to embark on the biggest ever solo drag tour in the UK - and she's coming to Birmingham.

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Bianca Del Rio

The insult queen, the alter ego of 43-year-old artist and comedian Roy Haylock, will bring new show It's Jester Joke to Arena Birmingham next year.

Talking ahead of the tour, the star said: "I’ve been told I’ll be the first drag queen to headline at Wembley Arena.

"I’m excited, but also concerned that they aren’t prepared for glitter and wig hair clogs in the dressing room sinks.

"I’m incredibly grateful to perform at this beloved British venue before the retirement home comes knocking for me."

Haylock's career began in 1993 when he won a Big Easy Entertainment Award for Best Costume Design for Snow Queen at the age of 17.

In New Orleans, he started performing as a drag artist in 1996 in the play Pageant. Haylock won the New Orleans Gay Entertainer of the Year for three years as drag queen Bianca Del Rio.

The insult comedian rose to fame following her win on RuPaul's Drag Race season six alongside the likes of Adore Delano, Courtney Act, Darienna Lake, BenDeLaCreme and more.

She has become a fixture in the New Orleans and New York City club scenes, often working with drag legend Lady Bunny.

The star released her very own film Hurricane Bianca in 2016, followed by sequel Hurricane Bianca 2: From Russia With Hate this year starring fellow Drag Race contestant Katya Zamolodchikova.

The popular champion has amassed a huge following worldwide, with her Instagram soaring to over one million followers and previous shows The Rolodex of Hate, Not Today Satan and Blame It On Bianca Del Rio selling out globally.

Nathan Stone, creative director of The MJR Group, said: "I’m incredibly proud to have been able to be involved in the huge cultural movement of drag becoming so mainstream in the UK.

"Who would of thought three years ago that we would be announcing the first ever drag queen to headline Wembley Arena.

"Over the past few years I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the humble genius that is Roy Haylock and I can’t wait to see him take to the stage in one of the UK’s best loved venues."

Bianca Del Rio will perform at Arena Birmingham on September 5.

Tickets go on sale from 9am this Friday.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here