Danny Beard has said the BBC's decision to pull RuPaul's Drag Race from its schedules could be a positive move, allowing viewers to reconnect with local drag performers and drag kings.
The 34-year-old, real name Daniel Curtis, won the show in 2022 and has since built a successful career, reaching the final of Celebrity Big Brother in 2025 and appearing in Hollyoaks. Next year he will play Lily Savage in the play SAVAGE, based on the life of Paul O'Grady.
Not a guaranteed path to success
While grateful for the platform, Danny stressed that winning Drag Race does not automatically lead to career success. "I think a lot of people think you can just go on Drag Race and your life will change. I'd love that to be the case but the truth is for most Drag Race contestants, it's not," he said.
He added: "But that's because that's where the hard work starts, and I think it's definitely a platform, but it's what you can bring and what your product is, and where you see yourself in this entertainment industry that will set you apart."
BBC pulls show after seven years
The BBC recently announced it was ending Drag Race after seven years, with a spokesperson citing "significant financial pressures". The show will move to RuPaul's streaming platform WOW.
Danny believes the break from mainstream television could be beneficial. "I think the break from Drag Race, maybe in the mainstream, might be refreshing for a lot of people in terms of maybe starting to look at drag kings, or getting back in touch with our local acts that are working 365 days a year in our bars and our queer spaces," he said.
Haircare campaign with method
Danny recently partnered with haircare brand method, which found that 71% of Brits say freshly washed hair improves their mood, while 36% wash on "autopilot". More than half (55%) have followed the same hairwash routine since their teenage years.
The campaign includes a dance routine featuring "hairography", which Danny says is reminiscent of 1990s pop band Steps. "It's giving easy little routine. And honestly, like we've got videos, people can go to Method's YouTube and see, we've got a fun little video that I shot in drag with some amazing dancers," he said.
Danny has also named method's Daily Zen as a personal favourite, saying he now uses his shower time for wellness. "Since doing this campaign, I have switched it up and I do try and use my time in the shower for a bit of wellness, and a little bit of a moment with myself to be in tune," he added.
