RuPaul makes touching The Vivienne tribute as Drag Race icons flock to London event

RuPaul's DragCon UK event was opened with a tribute to The Vivienne, as the American actor and TV host called the drag queen his "dear" friend who was "all about love and life"

American actor and TV host RuPaul Charles kicked off the RuPaul’s DragCon UK event with a heartfelt tribute to fellow drag queen The Vivienne, praising her passion for "love and life".

James Lee Williams, who won the first series of the BBC’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came third on the 2023 edition of ITV’s Dancing On Ice, tragically passed away at the age of 32.

Speaking to the crowd at London's Excel, RuPaul, who hosts the US, American and Australian versions of the popular reality competition show, said he was "here to celebrate life, to celebrate love". He added: "We are here to start these festivities, but before we do that, we want to focus on love, and we’re going to remember our dear, The Vivienne, with love, life, and that’s what she was all about."

"She would love for you to live your lives and to be free and to have a lot of fun and to spread it around, isn’t that right? Standing alongside his friend and fellow judge Michelle Visage, who wore a T-shirt bearing The Vivienne’s name, RuPaul then cut the ribbon to open the drag convention, which runs until Saturday.

RuPaul attended the London event(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Previously, RuPaul had expressed his grief on Instagram, stating his heart was "broken", and he was "mourning the loss of The Vivienne — an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being". A memorial wall and book were also set up at the event for fans and performers to leave messages in memory of The Vivienne.

Tributes have been pouring in for The Vivienne, a beloved figure in the drag community who competed on an all-winners season of RuPaul's Drag Race in the US in 2022. Among those paying their respects were fellow Drag Race UK contestants Charity Kase and Alexis Saint-Pete.

The pair were "dear" friends(Image: Getty Images)

Charity penned: "The world was better with you in it," while Alexis expressed: "We love you so much, and miss you even more."

The Vivienne, born in Wales and known for donning Vivienne Westwood attire, had a successful career that included starring in BBC Three's The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood in 2020 and appearing on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted for Stand Up To Cancer in 2022. Other notable figures such as Coronation Street's Antony Cotton, Bimini Bon Boulash, Jinkx Monsoon, Craig Revel Horwood, Oti Mabuse and Patsy Palmer also shared heartfelt tributes.

The Vivienne passed away last weekend(Image: thevivienne_/Instagram)

The Vivienne had been set to tour next month in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical, playing The Childcatcher.

A representative for Cheshire Police confirmed that officers were called to a property in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of an unexpected death. The spokesman stated: "Police attended, investigated the circumstances of the death of the 32 year old man and concluded there were no suspicious circumstances. A file will be prepared for the coroner."