The second season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK [1] finally landed on our screens, and episode one did not disappoint. Aside from introducing a hilarious new cast and having the one and only Liz Hurley as their guest judge, the show's first instalment featured a very important challenge. Contestants were asked to create runway looks inspired by their favourite British gay icons.

Black Queens Tayce and Asttina Mandella both chose supermodel Naomi Campbell [2], because she was the only Black British ally they could think of, which opened up a necessary conversation around the lack of representation within the British LGBTQI+ scene. Despite the rising prominence of figures like MNEK and Munroe Bergdorf [3], it's clear that the amount of drag icons within this space are very limited. The remainder of the cast found it a little easier to source inspiration, choosing names like Dusty Springfield, Dame Diana Rigg, Lily Savage, Vivienne Westwood, David Bowie, and Freddie Mercury to replicate on the runway.

The results of the challenge were pretty impressive in more ways than one. Whether it was sparking an important debate on representation, or encouraging queens to reflect on their privilege, one thing was clear: the outfits, as always, were incredible. Keep reading on to have a look at every icon in action.

Bimini Bon-Boulash as Princess Julia

For those of you sat there asking yourselves, 'Who is Princess Julia?' you've come to the right place. A British DJ and music writer, she's been dubbed the 'first lady of London's fashion scene', and rightly so. Her best friend dated the drummer from the Sex Pistols back in the '70s, started DJing by accident, and she's been to parties at Wolfgang Tillmans's house. Impressed yet? We are.

Tia Kofi as Alan Turing

We'll admit, this was one icon we really weren't expecting to see, but anything's possible when it comes to Drag Race UK, and Alan Turing is proof. A mathematician who played an enormous part in cracking Nazi messages back in WWII, Turing was eventually persecuted for being gay.

Sister Sister as Dusty Springfield

Famous for that "Son of a Preacher Man" song that we all know and love, Dusty Springfield was a total pop icon. Known for being open about her beliefs, she once told the Evening Standard that "I know I'm perfectly capable of being swayed by a girl as by a boy. More and more people feel that way and I don't see why I shouldn't." Sadly, she passed in 1999, but her music lives on.

Veronica Green as Boy George

Boy George has been a gay icon for as long as we can remember, so it makes perfect sense that he'd be one of the first choices for this challenge. A singer-songwriter, DJ, fashion designer, record producer, and photographer, his eclectic style has since been replicated by the masses.

A'Whora as Vivienne Westwood

Dame Vivienne Westwood is, without a doubt, one of the biggest fashion influencers of our time. She started her own boutique Seditionaries on Kings Road back in 1974, and though it only lasted two years, her influence and namesake brand continue to very much live on today.

Asttina Mandella as Naomi Campbell

Discovered at the tender age of fifteen, Naomi Campbell [4] quickly became one of the most successful supermodels in history. A total trailblazer and activist, it's easy to see why Campbell came to mind during this challenge.

Lawrence Chaney as Diana Rigg

Dame Diana Rigg passed away last year, so seeing her paid tribute to by Chaney was truly special. She appeared in 1960s TV series The Avengers before her latest role in Game of Thrones and was pretty quickly classed as an icon because of her "fierce feminism" [5] and, at the time, controversial views.

Tayce as Naomi Campbell

Another tribute to the honorary supermodel!

Joe Black as David Bowie

Replicating Bowie's signature "Life on Mars" blue suit in true drag fashion, Black's attempt sadly wasn't one that made the cut. Apparently, even Tracy Beaker [6] didn't think that was fair.

Cherry Valentine as Freddie Mercury

Honouring Queen frontman Freddie Mercury makes perfect sense for this challenge, and we must admit this outfit was a winner in our books.

Ginny Lemon as Kate Bush

Musical legend Kate Bush was honoured last night by the larger than life Ginny Lemon. A chart topper at a mere 19 years old, Bush has long been dubbed an icon of style and pop — and no, it's not just because of her amazing hair, but it does help!

Ellie Diamond as Lily Savage

Lily Savage — TV treasure Paul O'Grady's drag stage name — was a force to be reckoned with. After going mainstream in the '90s with The Lily Savage Show, O'Grady decided to retire his act for his own TV show, and to spend a lot of time with dogs on camera.