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| RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne dies aged 32 | RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne dies aged 32 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| James Lee Williams, better known as drag queen The Vivienne, has died aged 32. | James Lee Williams, better known as drag queen The Vivienne, has died aged 32. |
| Publicist Simon Jones said the performer, who died over the weekend, was "an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person". | Publicist Simon Jones said the performer, who died over the weekend, was "an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person". |
| The Vivienne won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019. | The Vivienne won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019. |
| Mr Jones asked for privacy for the star's family and said no further details would be released at this time. | Mr Jones asked for privacy for the star's family and said no further details would be released at this time. |
| RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said the news of The Vivienne's death was "heartbreaking". | |
| Writing on social media, external, Visage wrote: "Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all. | |
| "You were a beacon to so many... I love you my darling. You will be so missed." | |
| The Vivienne pictured with RuPaul | |
| RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash also reacted to the news, writing on Instagram: "I'm so sorry I'm in total shock". | |
| Cheryl The Queen - who used to go by Cheryl Hole - took part in the same series of Drag Race as The Vivienne. She also shared the statement on Instagram, writing: "I will love you forever Viv." | Cheryl The Queen - who used to go by Cheryl Hole - took part in the same series of Drag Race as The Vivienne. She also shared the statement on Instagram, writing: "I will love you forever Viv." |
| Mr Jones said these were words he "never ever wanted to write". | Mr Jones said these were words he "never ever wanted to write". |
| "No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other," he said. | "No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other," he said. |
| "I'm so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last 5 years." | "I'm so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last 5 years." |
| Williams was born in Wales, and adopted the drag name because of a love for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing. | |
| As well as winning Drag Race, The Vivienne came third on the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice, and performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical. | |
| The performer reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. | |
| In an Instagram post, external on Boxing Day, The Vivienne put up a series of photos, captioning it: "24' highlights." | |
| "What a year it's been. Here's to reaching new heights and achieving dreams in 25," the star wrote, before signing off: "Viv xxx." | |
| This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. | This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. |
| You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts. | You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts. |