The latest series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK returns this August bank holiday, and the 2025 edition of the smash-hit series is set to feature a local and well-known queen from our very own Leeds.
Can't wait for the cult favourite TV show to receive its first 'Yorrrrrkshire'.
Already a classic among the queer community following many years on the air over in America, RuPaul's Drag Race UK is set to debut its seventh season this autumn, and part of the fun is always meeting the lineup.
While there's often a Northern name or two, we understandably were over the moon to see that Leeds drag queen 'Silllexa Diction', announced in the 2025 cast.
Now, for those who are unfamiliar with Ms Silllexa Diction, she is a born-and-bred Yorkshire girl who has been on the circuit for roughly seven years, and an increasingly recognisable name for closer to half a decade at the very least.
At 26, she's been doing drag pretty much all of her adult life, and when introducing herself to the broadcasters, she described two of her key traits as 'silly and sexy'.
Going from learning how to design and make her own costumes at the age of 18 to now hosting her own regular 'WERK' drag nights at the Viaduct Showbar - Leeds' leading LGBTQIA+ club and student for nine years running - she's somewhat of a regional icon.
If you're wondering what to expect from her, expect "everything as big and crazy as possible", with an extremely exaggerated female silhouette and about "12 pairs of giant breast plates."
With stilettos/her big camp boots on, she measures at a towering 7'3" (you'd struggle to miss her on a night out) and with a touching self-taught backstory, she's already our favourite - not that we're biased or anything...
Honestly, it has been a crazy fever dream getting here", she says. I am the first Leeds girl on Drag Race, and it just feels correct.
"There's no girl like me in Leeds, let alone the world. You don't really get many gorgeous, stunning, beautiful, conceptual queens that are also funny.
"I think that's why Ru chose me to be here. I've graced the Earth with my presence. I've floated down from above, and I'm here to make you chuckle and laugh.
Once again, series seven of RuPaul Drag Race UK gets underway at 9pm this Sunday, 24 August, on BBC Three and iPlayer. We already know who we want to win.
Nestled in Armley, Assembly House is an independent creative hub bringing artists together.
Assembly House, based on Canal Road in Armley inside a historic Victorian mill, has become a home for creatives across Leeds since launching in 2013.
The artist-led organisation combines working studios with an independent gallery and project space, hosting everything from exhibitions and workshops to community events and live music.
The space is currently home to 80 creatives who make up their community, comprising of professional practitioners including educators, performers, painters, sculptors, illustrators, video artists and designers.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Their aim is simple - to offer affordable studios to emerging artists alongside technical support, producing support along with access to workshops, internal film screenings and events.
Assembly House offer a yearly program of exhibitions designed to showcase the studio holders and get their work out there. It's all aimed at helping the artists, whether it's their first show or tenth.
It has also helped bring art into the wider neighbourhood through community murals, public sculptures and activities for local people.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
They believe art has the power to bring people together and to evoke emotion and thought, and we've got to say that we absolutely agree.
The space can also be hired by students and independent creatives looking to put on their own exhibitions or bring a project to life.
The fabulous venue is generally open to visitors during exhibitions, workshops and events, with visits by appointment at other times, so it's worth checking its website before heading over.
To have a look at their current programme and to find out more about what Assembly House are doing for Leeds and the community, you can take a look at their website here.
Leeds Palestinian Film Festival announces dates for 12th annual edition
Clementine Hall
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival has announced the dates for this year's festival.
This year's festival will explore the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour: "To make art is to say we are here."
These words will reflect the content of this year's festival, which aim to keep Palestinian stories alive; defy the erasure of history; and bring voices from the depths of destruction.
The Leeds Palestinian Film Festival will open Friday 13 November at the iconic Hyde Park Picture House with Life Support, a documentary about doctors in Gaza directed by Daniele Rugo.
Image: Supplied
The screening will be followed by a live Q&A with the director and doctors from the film, chaired by Healthworkers4Palestine.
Early programme highlights include the UK premiere of Conversation with the Sea, Muayad Alayan's family drama in which a 60-year-old Palestinian man in Jerusalem, ordered by an Israeli court to pay a debt allegedly owed by his son who drowned decades ago, sets out to discover what happened.
Also showing will be Maggie Lemere's documentary, Land of Canaan, follows Palestinian farmers and their olive trees, some more than 1,000 years old, and the fair-trade movement led by Dr Nasser Abufarha to protect them.
Image: Supplied
Frances Bernstein, Festival Director, said: “To make art is to say we are here. We chose the words of the celebrated Palestinian artist Sliman Mansour as this year's theme because they reflect what the programme is for: keeping Palestinian stories alive, defying the erasure of Palestinian history, culture and identity, and bringing voices from the depth of destruction to audiences in Leeds."
The full programme, guests and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks. You can find out more here.
Danny Jones -
22nd August 2025 
