Some of the world's most loved queens will be coming to Leeds this Christmas for a special festive show featuring the stars of Ru Paul's Drag Race, it has been revealed.
Stars from the hit UK show, including The Vivienne and BagaChipz, will be turning up in Leeds for one night only for the Christmas Xtravaganza at 02 Academy Leeds.
Taking place on Monday 13 December, the show promises to bring all the high energy, drama and glamour or the hit TV show to Leeds this Christmas - featuring a host of stars from RuPaul's Drag Race UK, Canada, and the US series.
RuPaul's Drag Race winner THE Vivienne performing at Manchester Pride this summer / Image: The Vivienne
So far, as well as the UK favourites BagaChipz and The Vivienne, it has also been revealed that Ginny Lemon, Latrice Royale, Olivia Lux, and Priyanka will be taking part in the run of shows - which will cover the breadth of the UK and Ireland.
And on top of that, there are six more queens on the line-up still to be revealed.
As well as stopping off in Leeds, the Drag Race stars will also be landing in Plymouth, Bristol, Nottingham, Birmingham, Liverpool, London, Cardiff, Southampton, Manchester, Norwich, Sheffield, Colchester, Newcastle, Stockton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dublin and Belfast between 27 November and 2 December 2021.
The show is coming to Leeds' O2 Academy this December / Image: Viagogo
The Leeds 02 Academy is billing the show as: "Christmas production, drag market and so much more. Shantay, You Sleigh! On O2?"
Tickets will go on general sale at 9 am on Friday, 1 October.
The full list of tour dates is listed below:
Saturday 27 November 2021 - DUBLIN Olympia Theatre Monday 29 November 2021 - BELFAST Waterfront Hall Wednesday 1 December 2021 - PLYMOUTH Pavilions Friday 3 December 2021 - BRISTOL Marble Factory Saturday 5 December2021 - NOTTINGHAM Rock City Sunday 5 December 2021 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham Tuesday 7 December 2021 - LIVERPOOL Eventim Olympia Wednesday 8 December 2021 - LONDON Eventim Apollo Friday 10 December 2021 - CARDIFF University Great Hall Saturday 11 December 2021 - SOUTHAMPTON City Hall Oval Monday 13 December 2021 - LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds Tuesday 14 December 2021 - MANCHESTER TBC Thursday 16 December 2021 - NORWICH UEA Friday 17 December 2021 - SHEFFIELD O2 Guildhall Saturday 18 December 2021 - COLCHESTER Charter Hall Sunday 19 December 2021 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall Tuesday 21 December 2021 - STOCKTON TBC Wednesday 22 December 2021 - EDINBURGH TBC Thursday 23 December 2021 - GLASGOW O2 Academy Glasgow
Leeds restaurant The Cut & Craft has announced further expansion plans for the spring.
Swanky all-day dining restaurant and bar, The Cut & Craft, is expanding its popular Leeds site, investing a whopping £1.2 million to create a new adjoining elegant bar, lounge and private spaces.
Located within the former historic Collinson’s Cafe, the renovation will transform the former neighbouring Paul Smith store, to extend the existing brand offering.
The extension will celebrate the original beauty of the space, whilst acknowledging the legacy of Wallace Hartley - a talented musician who played at Collinson’s Cafe in the early 1900s before his role as bandleader on Titanic during its maiden voyage.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The Grade II-listed building’s features including its iconic glass dome, stained glass and circular central bar will remain, with the addition of two beautifully designed private dining rooms.
The extension is due for competition this spring and will transform the existing venue into a space with seating for an impressive 370 covers.
Oscar Akgul, CEO at The Cut & Craft said: “Planning for this new chapter began within the first year of opening. By year two, it was clear that we required additional space to serve the city’s appetite for The Cut & Craft’s signature hospitality.
Image: Supplied
“The brand’s deep affinity with the Victoria Quarter and the heritage of the building played an essential role in the decision to grow here.
“We want to thank our regular guests and everyone who has joined us at The Cut & Craft Leeds since opening and we look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with you all.”
New BBC TV drama starring Bel Powley and Harley Squires to be filmed in Leeds this spring
Clementine Hall
The BBC has announced a brand-new crime drama set to be filmed in Leeds and Hull.
We all love a BBC drama, and luckily for us one is about to be filmed right here in Leeds.
The new drama will be titled Shy & Lola, starring Harley Squires from The Night Manager and Bel Powley from The Diary of A Teenage Girl.
The six-part series has been described as a "dark comedy" about two women caught up in a murder in the criminal underworld.
The plot follows an unassuming pair in a small coastal town in northern England where the pair both realise they have a hidden talent for crime.
The series synopsis states: "As they build an operation that threatens to blow the local bad guys out of the water, opposing futures beckon – using their earnings to fund a fresh start, or becoming the new bosses in town."
The show is based on a popular French TV series and is written by Amanda Coe, an acclaimed English screenwriter and novelist.
Amanda Coe spoke about the announcement: "With such a rich and spiky central relationship at its core, Shy & Lolais a dream of a show to write, full of fun, action and emotion. I can't wait to see our hugely exciting cast and director bring it to life."
Rachelle Constant, executive Producer for Clerkenwell Films, said: "Amanda has written a brilliantly bold series centred on a dynamic female duo, which blends dark comedy with propulsive storytelling.We’re thrilled to have Hayley and Bel as our leads, alongside an exceptional cast and crew."
The new series will begin filming in Leeds and Hull this spring and will air on BBC One and iPlayer and we'll absolutely be tuning in.
Georgina Pellant -
30th September 2021 
