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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 starred in musical theatre and TV productions, and won the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019. | |
| The show paid tribute to the drag star on social media, saying they were "deeply saddened" by the news of the performer's death. | |
| "She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity - she embodied what it means to be a true champion". | |
| "Her talent, humour, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration," the show said in a post on X. | |
| "Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time." | |
| The show's judge Michelle Visage also called the star "a beacon to so many". | |
| Writing on social media, external, Visage called the news "heartbreaking", adding: "My darling The Vivienne, we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK." | |
| "You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point." | |
| "Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all." | |
| The Vivienne pictured with RuPaul | The Vivienne pictured with RuPaul |
| 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. The performer wrote on Instagram: "I will love you forever Viv." | |
| Williams was born in Wales, and adopted the drag name because of a love for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing. | 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. | 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. | The performer reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. |
| The Vivienne also competed on an all-winners season of the RuPaul franchise in the US in 2022, and starred in BBC Three show The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood in 2020. | |
| In an Instagram post, external on Boxing Day, The Vivienne put up a series of photos, captioning it: "24' highlights." | 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." | "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." |
| Mr Jones said words announcing The Vivienne's death were ones 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. | |
| "I'm so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last 5 years." | |
| Mr Jones asked for privacy for the star's family and said no further details would be released at this time. | |
| Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audience, called the news "deeply sad", adding: "We are fiercely proud of The Vivienne's achievements, including winning the first ever series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. | |
| "Right now our thoughts are with their family and friends, the Drag Race sisterhood and their many fans." |