BBC reality star becomes first drag queen to sign up to strip naked on The Real Full Monty
STAR of BBC’s reality show Drag Race UK is set to become the very first drag queen to sign up for huge ITV show the Real Full Monty.
Icon Ella VaDay, from Drag Race UK’s third season, will be whipping their glamorous kit off to raise money and awareness of cancer.
Ella, played by Dagenham actor Nick Collier, will be getting a starring role in the hotly anticipated new series of the strip show.
The Real Full Monty sees celebrities strip off to highlight the importance of checking your body for cancer and recreating the famous striptease from the classic British film.
A source on the show revealed: “Ella has a huge cult following after finishing as a runner up on the third series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, so she’ll bring that new audience over to The Real Full Monty.
“ITV were also really keen to sign a drag queen up after the success The Vivienne had on Dancing On Ice, and bosses think Ella is really fun, hilarious and perfectly captures the spirit of the show.”
Cancer is a subject close to Ella’s heart, having previously spoken about her beloved mum Donna, who was diagnosed with Paget’s Disease diagnosis – a rare form of cancer that affects the nipple and surrounding area.
Last year, Ella spoke exclusively to The Sun about the traumatic experience, revealing her mum’s mastectomy surgery was a case of life and death.
Ella, 34, said: “It was an obvious thing she had to do, but I think for my mum having to lose a breast, for any woman to lose a piece of them, was a huge deal.
“It’s been really tough for her. It had to go. When it comes to life and death, you’ve got to do what has to be done. It wasn’t easy for her.”
Earlier this week The Sun exclusively revealed Ashley Cain will be stripping off for the ITV reality series when it returns to screens later this year.
Ashley is known for his buff body so is bound to send hearts racing when he reveals all in the new series.
But it’s not just about showing off his six pack, as Ashley has signed up for a very emotional and raw reason.
The Real Full Monty airs each year to raise awareness of cancer and the fight against it.
Ashley’s driving force is his late daughter Azaylia, who captured the hearts of the nation in 2020 when she was diagnosed with leukaemia aged just two months.
His brave tot fought a tough battle but sadly died just six months later.
Ashley and Azaylia’s mum Safiyya have since separated but they continue to work together to raise vital funds for The Azaylia Foundation, the childhood cancer charity set up in their daughter’s name.
Reality star Ashley is hoping his appearance on The Real Full Monty will continue to raise awareness of the disease.
The Sun has contacted ITV for comment.