A young drag performer from Bala was hailed as a "little ball of Welsh dragon energy" as they made an impressive debut on season 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

The sixth season boasts a fresh set of incredible drag queens battling for the coveted title of The UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar - and for the first time ever a cash prize of £25,000!

The producers must have confidence in this season as they opened with a montage of iconic winners and personalities from previous years, including Divina De Campo, Baga Chipz, Bimini, Cara Melle, Tayce, and the late Cherry Valentine.

Competition looks set to be fierce this season with what is perhaps the most diverse line-up of contestants in UK Drag Race herstory.

There are contestants from all home nations, as well as Asian and Caribbean queens, although most now seem to ply their trade in Manchester.

Welsh dragon

21-year-old Actavia is the second queen from North Wales to appear on the show, following in the high heels of season one winner The Vivienne, originally from Colwyn Bay, who is now a West End star in their own right.

Actavia entered the famous werk room in a red, white and black ensemble adorned with spikes, looking like the favourite child of Gottmik and Danny Beard.

The young queen leant into being from Wales, speaking Welsh several times, including in their energetic cabaret performance, and reimagining the Ddraig Goch for their runway look.

The look was stunning, with Actavia even breathing smoke as they strutted along the runway in an outfit of red scales.

Veteran judge Michelle Visage called Actavia "a little ball of Welsh dragon energy" while singing their praises.

Actavia's cabaret turn - a club banger performance full of energy - and draconic runway look saw them named as one of the top queens of the episode by RuPaul.

During the show, Actavia said they hoped a young queer person back home in Bala would be inspired by seeing them on the show.

Actavia aside, other stand-outs on episode one included Kiki Snatch, Kyran Thrax, and Manchester queen Lill.

(Image: BBC Media Centre)

Welsh Queens

Welsh queens have been few in number - Tayce and Victoria Scone both hail from South Wales - but have been some of the franchise's most memorable characters.

Season One winner, The Vivienne in a former pupil of Rydal Penrhos in Colwyn Bay, but it was on the Liverpool drag scene that their star ascended. 

Marmalade, from Cardiff, is also one of the 12 queens due to appear in the upcoming season.

Iconic games

The show which airs every Autumn, puts its contenders through ten weeks of fascinating challenges and iconic games that test their drag mettle.

The larger-than-life personality and international drag icon, RuPaul, who is affectionately called Mama Ru, heads the venerated judging panel.

The panel comprises staple judges like Michelle Visage, Alan Carr, Graham Norton, and a host of celebrity guest judges such as Mabel and Simon Le Bon.

TOP STORIES:

Two new Welsh FA standard junior football pitches installed in Denbigh

Here are the exceptional winners of the North Wales Education Awards

Jobs fair in Denbighshire attracts more than 400 people

They collectively seal the fate of the queens, but Mama Ru has the final word on who remains or leaves the competition.

Meet Actavia

The BBC Media Centre has interviewed each of the 12 hopefuls for Meet the Queens:

Tell us about yourself!

Hello! I’m Actavia, I am 21 years old, and I'm from a tiny little town in North Wales called Bala but I now live in Manchester. Bring on the Welsh!

How does it feel to be a Ru girl?

This is literally like a dream come true. It's such a cliché thing to say but I just can’t believe it’s real and that I’m here.

How long have you been doing drag?

I quickly became obsessed with all things drag around five years ago when I was 16 years old however, being from such a small town, drag was never something that was around me. After discovering Drag Race, everything just clicked! I’ve always loved performing and being on stage so I knew drag was for me and here I am!

How would you describe your drag?

I would describe myself as a bit of a chameleon, and I always like to add a villainess look to my drag aesthetic but I’m really approachable – I promise!

What can we expect to see at an Actavia show?

I come alive on stage. If you were to come to an Actavia show, you would see a blend of camp, dancing, energy, and a bit of stupidity. My shows are high energy and you would definitely be out of breath just watching me.

What’s the drag scene like in your hometown of Bala?

It's honestly tiny. I always say the drag scene there is absolutely immaculate - because I AM the drag scene there! There is no other drag queen in my town, as far as I'm aware!

What are you most looking forward to in the competition? 

I’m a dancer so I love anything where I can move my legs. I’m so excited to do anything that’s thrown at me in this competition and grab it by the horns!

Would you say you’re competitive?

I wouldn’t say I’m competitive, but I do enter a lot of competitions and I am now on the biggest drag competition now so actually… I guess you could say I am!

What would it mean to you to win it?

To be crowned as the UK’s Next Drag Race Superstar would just be the ultimate validation not only for myself, for all the hard work I’ve put into my drag over the years. It would just mean the world!