Courtney Act’s Christmas show was gay AF and it was amazing
Courtney Act’s Christmas Extravaganza on Channel 4.
In the words of Britney Spears: Gimme gimme more, Courtney Act.
Courtney Act—Britain’s favourite drag queen and Celebrity Big Brother winner—debuted her very own variety special on Channel 4 on Christmas Eve and it was a queer delight.
The show featured Courtney busting gender stereotypes about Christmas and encouraging Britain to embrace themselves—whether straight, gay, lesbian, trans, cis, white or a Simpson.
The heartwarming special, which also featured queer artists such as the Briefs boylesque troupe, Le Gateau Chocolat and Drag Race icon Bianca Del Rio, celebrated the LGBT+ community on national television in a way that we haven’t seen before. Making the Yuletide gay, indeed.
Not only was the show full of festive fun (living for Leona Lewis and Courtney’s duet, tbh), it was also super important, reflecting on issues facing the queer community. In a moment of levity, Courtney even tackled the subject of homophobia in football, by visiting a Fulham F.C. game to ask regular football fans what they think of a footballer coming out. It was brave and stunning.
Twitter reactions to Courtney Act’s Christmas Extravaganza. (Twitter)
“@courtneyact going to a football club and encouraging pro players to come out is so important and brave #lgbtinfootball #football #lgbt #CourtneyActChristmas,” wrote Jon Dexter on Twitter.
Fans loved Courtney Act’s Christmas show
“The #CourtneyActChristmas is absolutely everything I needed this Christmas Eve. And god I’ve missed @leonalewis so much,” wrote Alex Grace-Smith.
Eve Ballard wrote: “What a show, great guests and of course my absolute favourite #courtneyact so much tallent , please stay in the UK , we need much more of you #CourtneyActChristmas”
Helen Slater added: “Courtney is genuinely the best introduction the UK could have to drag. Charming, funny and so goddam pretty. I truly hope she becomes a fixture of British telly, she deserves it #CourtneyActChristmas”
Courtney Act Christmas Extravaganza’s featured Bianca Del Rio. (Channel 4)
The verdict was unanimous: We need more of this on mainstream national television. Please, Channel 4, give us a whole series of Courtney.
Courtney Act and drag taking over UK TV
Courtney Act’s Christmas special could be the start of new, queer programming on British television.
Earlier this month, BBC Three announced it will launch a UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2019.
“I am beyond excited to celebrate the massive charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent of the Queen’s queens. And before anyone asks, yes, we would be thrilled to have Meghan Markle join us, as we are already preparing a ‘Royal-Mother-To-Be’ runway challenge,” RuPaul said.
