A DRAG queen from Belfast is competing in the first UK series of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Blu Hydrangea has been unveiled as among the 10 drag queens taking part in the reality TV contest which searches for the "next drag superstar".
The original US version of the show has been a hit around the world and has won a string of Emmys.
Blu Hydrangea, whose real name is Josh Cargill (23), is a make-up artist and performs in Belfast's LGBT scene.
She has amassed more than 30,000 followers on Instagram where she shares photos of her elaborate make-up and costume transformations.
"Blu Hydrangea is like a GCSE art project, high fashion from outer space, a cartoon character – with muppet realness," she said.
"She is queen of the make-up brush and her strength lies in her mug. Not only am I a 'look queen' but I can dance, I can perform, I can do some funny movements to make people laugh."
Well, she’s the most glam GCSE art project we’ve ever seen! Meet Belfast’s Blu Hydrangea, the queen whose strength lies in her mug. #DragRaceUK pic.twitter.com/qpfuOwxtua
— RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) August 21, 2019
Blu said her drag name comes from a blue Hydrangea shrub "that is in my garden".
"I feel like I'm dreaming, I feel so privileged to be on this programme," she said.
She added: "I absolutely eat, breathe and sleep being a drag queen. It's my way of being expressive and creative.
"I think I've got a lot to show especially my northern Irish pride.
"In Belfast you don't really see that much drag, so I'm big fish in a little pond but now I want to be a big fish in a big pond.
"I want people to know who Blu is and appreciate her art."
RuPaul's Drag Race UK will air this autumn on BBC Three.
The other drag queens competing are Baga Chipz, Crystal, Cheryl Hole, Divina De Campo, Gothy Kendoll, Sum Ting Wong, Scaredy Kat, The Vivienne and Vinegar Strokes.
RuPaul, the show's host and head judge, said: "Each of the UK queens is so unique, so courageous and so special. I can't wait for the UK – and the world – to fall in love with them the same way I did."
Celebrity guest judges for the series include Maisie Williams, Cheryl and Andrew Garfield, while Graham Norton and Alan Carr will be on rotating judging duties.
Strictly Come Dancing's AJ Pritchard and his brother, Love Island star Curtis, will be superstar coaches alongside British singer and producer MNEK, while Stacey Dooley and Lorraine Kelly will be celebrity guests for the show's Snatch Game challenge, which sees the drag queens do their best impersonations of famous figures of their choice.
All 10 queens will be taking part in Manchester Pride on Saturday for their first official appearance.
