Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Nigella Lawson gives verdict on ‘camp’ and ‘enchanting’ impersonation of her on RuPaul’s Drag Race

Contestant Ella Vaday won the judges over with an impression of the celebrity chef

Annabel Nugent
Tuesday 02 November 2021 08:21 GMT
Comments
Trailer for RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Nigella Lawson has given her verdict on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Ella Vaday’s impression of her.

Vaday impersonated the celebrity chef as part of the “Snatch Game” challenge on the hit BBC Three reality series.

The drag star won the judges over with their performance, which included Lawson’s famed pronunciation of “microwave” that went viral last year.

After fans tweeted at Lawson alerting her to the clip, the TV chef asked if she should “dare” watch the episode on BBC iPlayer.

Later, the 61-year-old revealed on Twitter that she did eventually watch the segment, writing: “I did dare. I did watch. And I was charmed by @EllaVada.”

The Cook, Eat, Repeat writer added that she thought Vaday’s performance was “fabulous” and agreed with a fan who commented that the impersonation was not “cringey or offensive”.

“I found it utterly, camply, enchanting,” wrote Lawson, who praised Vaday as “divine”.

Vaday replied with relief at receiving the chef’s approval, writing on Twitter: “Ohhhh this is the best news PHEW. I have adored you for so many years and have so many of your books!! You’re an ICON.”

It did not take long before fans suggested that BBC producers bring Lawson on the series as a guest judge for season four of Drag Race UK.

Responding to Vaday’s suggestion that it was “about time” she appeared on the series, Lawson replied: “Thank you, darling! I feel I would be a disappointment after your version.”

Earlier this year, the chef and author won praise after sharing a New York Times article in support of they/them pronouns.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in