‘Where’s our Rufund?’ Drag icon Ru Paul’s London convention is branded a ‘SHAMBLES’ as furious fans break down in tears after queuing in the rain for hours with no guarantee of entry
- Fans had to queue for hours amid reports that the event has been overbooked
- The DragCon UK event was held on Saturday at Olympia London in Kensington
- Fans have taken to social media to share their anger after waiting to enter convention for up to four hours
- Some attendees have claimed they have been refused a refund despite being warned they might not get into the event
Furious fans have branded drag icon Ru Paul’s DragCon UK convention a ‘shambles’ after being forced to queue for hours outside the venue amid reports the event has been overbooked.
Those attending the event being held today at Olympia London have taken to social media to share their anger after waiting to enter convention for up to four hours while the iconic star, 59, was meeting fans inside.
Some attendees claimed that they had requested refunds due to the length of the queue but revealed that they have been told that none would be given.
Not happy: Furious fans have branded DragCon UK a ‘shambles’ after being forced to queue for hours outside the venue amid reports the event has been overbooked
One person who attempted to attend the event claimed it was a ‘s*** show’, and said: ‘DragCON – absolutely shambles. It had been completely oversold – easily a thousand people outside not being let in.
They continued by saying they saw tearful children breakdown while standing in the queue, adding: ‘It won’t affect me losing £100 on a ticket but there were kids in the queue in tears who had these bought for them for Christmas.
‘#LGBTQ+ teenagers who had saved up for tickets left completely devastated.’
The post also suggested that exasperated staff struggled to deal with the volume of crowds and others were too afraid to come and confront the angry ticket payers.
Fury: Those attending the event being held today at Olympia London have taken to social media to share their anger after waiting to enter convention for up to four hours (pictured fans queuing outside the event)
Opinion: One person who attempted to attend the event claimed it was a ‘s*** show’
They said: ‘People had been queuing for 4 hours+. Event organisers too scared to come outside. Staff on the doors nearly in tears because they were so fed up. ‘Absolute s*** show’.
Others took to Twitter to express their outrage, with one tagging the event to make sure the organisers knew about the situation occurring outside.
They said: ‘So we’ve been told that nobody has been let in for 2 hours because the venue is at maximum capacity! We’ve been told no refunds, doesn’t look like we’ll get let in today! Where’s out RUfund? #DragConUK.’
Unimpressed: Others took to Twitter to express their outrage, with one tagging the event to make sure the organisers knew about the situation occurring outside
Another complained: ‘This is what happens when drag does mainstream. This is also what happens when you oversell tickets for the sake of money vs the integrity of your fans #DragConUK.’
While a third person said: ‘As somebody who usually attends an event called ‘dragworld’ (a safe and enjoyable event) I can sit and say that this a s*** show.
‘The fact that they thought Olympia could hold this many people… heads were empty: mind full of money #DragConUK.’
Another fan shared a clip of RuPaul dancing and quipped: ‘RuPaul knowing there’s nearly 3,000 people outside but he still got paid. #DragCon.’
Full to the brim! Crowds filled the convention centre while others waited outside
Reaction: Another fan shared a clip of RuPaul dancing and quipped: ‘RuPaul knowing there’s nearly 3,000 people outside but he still got paid. #DragCon’
RuPaul and DragCon UK have been contacted for further comment.
Earlier in the day, RuPaul was joined by an army of Queens as he cut the ribbon to open DragCon UK in front of a crowd of excitable fans.
The presenter, 59, stood out in a red and pink suit as he joined veteran Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, 51, to officially open the conference which brings together some of the country’s biggest and best Queens.
RuPaul cut a suave figure in a red suit with a pink tie scarf as he officially cut the ribbon on the pink carpet to kick off the DragCon.
Sensational: Earlier in the day, RuPaul was joined by an army of Queens as he cut the ribbon to open DragCon UK in front of a crowd of excitable fans
The Emmy-winning presenter excitedly branded the scissors ahead of the opening, after reuniting with his longtime friend Michelle.
Michelle was effortlessly chic in a sparkling black dress with loose waterfall sleeves and her signature thick-framed glasses as she joined several others stars in attendance for the opening.
RuPaul officially launched his Drag Race in the UK last year, with its first ever British series seeing 10 Queens go head-to-head to be crowned series champion.
Suave: The presenter, 59, stood out in a red and pink suit as he officially cut the ribbon to open the Drag Conference
Pals: RuPaul was joined by his longtime friend and Drag Race co-judge Michelle Visage, who cut a chic figure on the outing
Energetic: He was in incredibly high spirits as he opened the British drag conference in the capital
Iconic: Ru officially launched his Drag Race in the UK last year, with its first ever British series seeing 10 Queens go head-to-head to be crowned series champion
The crown was eventually awarded to The Vivienne (James Lee Williams), with Divina de Campo (Owen Farrow) as runner-up.
A second series has already been confirmed to air later this year, although it is yet to be revealed whether Graham Norton and Alan Carr will return as judges.
Several other stars were also in attendance for the opening, including Love Island star Samira Mighty who oozed urban chic in a green and blue gingham shirt, a crop top and baggy blue jeans.
Friendly: Michelle was also spotted chatting to some of the guests in attendance for the drag conference
Coming soon: A second series of Drag Race UK has already been confirmed to air later this year, although it is yet to be revealed whether Graham Norton and Alan Carr will return
Gorgeous: Michelle displayed her incredible curves in a fitted black dress covered with gold sequins and high heels
Jessica Hynes also channelled her inner queen with a flamboyant black dress and an oversized brown faux fur collar.
Michelle was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing last year, but was sadly eliminated in Blackpool alongside her professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK has also been nominated for The Bruce Forsyth Entertainment Award at the National Television Awards later this month, and will also compete for fans’ votes to win the TV Judge prize.
Statement: Jessica Hynes also channelled her inner queen with a flamboyant black dress and an oversized brown faux fur collar
Funky: Love Island Samira Mighty was also in attendance for the launch, and opted for a green checked oversized shirt and baggy jeans
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