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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 |
| (about 2 hours 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 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. | The show paid tribute to the drag star on social media, saying they were "deeply saddened" by the news of the performer's death. |
| Cheshire Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the performer's death. | Cheshire Police say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the performer's death. |
| In a post on X, external, RuPaul's Drag Race said: "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". | In a post on X, external, RuPaul's Drag Race said: "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". |
| It added: "Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time." | It added: "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". | The show's judge Michelle Visage also called the star "a beacon to so many". |
| Watch: Moment The Vivienne wins RuPaul's Drag Race UK | Watch: Moment The Vivienne wins RuPaul's Drag Race UK |
| 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." | 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." | "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." | "Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all." |
| Drag Race UK star Bimini Bon Boulash also reacted to the news, writing on Instagram: "I'm so sorry I'm in total shock". | 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 - 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." | Cheryl - 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." |
| John Hyland, community partnerships lead at Sahir, a LGBTQ+ and HIV charity in Liverpool, also paid tribute. Drag fans have been donating to Sahir's latest campaign as a mark of respect for The Vivienne, who posted about the appeal just days before their death. | John Hyland, community partnerships lead at Sahir, a LGBTQ+ and HIV charity in Liverpool, also paid tribute. Drag fans have been donating to Sahir's latest campaign as a mark of respect for The Vivienne, who posted about the appeal just days before their death. |
| John said: "It says a lot to Viv's character that her last social post was about our Pound for Sahir campaign. She just wanted to give back. | John said: "It says a lot to Viv's character that her last social post was about our Pound for Sahir campaign. She just wanted to give back. |
| "If you look at the response tonight, I think we're going to be in mourning in this city for a long time. The Vivienne was an amazing character, an amazing influence." | "If you look at the response tonight, I think we're going to be in mourning in this city for a long time. The Vivienne was an amazing character, an amazing influence." |
| Natasha Von Spirit, a Liverpool drag queen, said that The Vivienne had put British drag "in the mainstream" and that they would be playing songs in tribute to them throughout the night. | Natasha Von Spirit, a Liverpool drag queen, said that The Vivienne had put British drag "in the mainstream" and that they would be playing songs in tribute to them throughout the night. |
| They said: "Whenever she was out on the scene after drag race she was just one of the Liverpool gays. | They said: "Whenever she was out on the scene after drag race she was just one of the Liverpool gays. |
| "I'm going to play all sorts for Viv tonight - definitely Walking in Memphis because before Drag Race she sung that none stop, and definitely a bit of her own music as well." | "I'm going to play all sorts for Viv tonight - definitely Walking in Memphis because before Drag Race she sung that none stop, and definitely a bit of her own music as well." |
| The Vivienne pictured with RuPaul | The Vivienne pictured with RuPaul |
| 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. |
| Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, where Williams was a former pupil, said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the star's death. | Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, where Williams was a former pupil, said it was "deeply shocked and saddened" by the star's death. |
| "The Vivienne's successful career as a performer and artist proved a source of inspiration and joy to so many", the school said in a statement. | "The Vivienne's successful career as a performer and artist proved a source of inspiration and joy to so many", the school said in a statement. |
| 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. | 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". | 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. | "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." |
| 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. |
| 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. | 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." | "Right now our thoughts are with their family and friends, the Drag Race sisterhood and their many fans." |
| 'Now I've got a crown': The Vivienne reacts to RuPaul's Drag Race UK win in 2019 | 'Now I've got a crown': The Vivienne reacts to RuPaul's Drag Race UK win in 2019 |