Iconic RuPaul’s Drag Race star and fan favourite The Vivienne died earlier this year, and will appear on TV tonight in one of their final recorded shows.
The Vivienne, birth name James Lee Williams, won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came in third place on the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
Simon Jones, the star's publicist, announced the news of their death on January 5, writing that The Vivienne was an "incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person".
In a post on Instagram, he added: "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend. James was an incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person.
"Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career."
On Thursday evening, February 6, The Vivienne will appear in ITV comedy-drama series G'wed. The post-humous appearance sees the star take on the role of a Liverpool nightclub owner. They spot character Ted's comedic potential and offer him a spot at the club, while also showcasing their trademark humour.
How did The Vivienne die?
The Vivienne was born in Wales and later moved to Liverpool. They were just 32-years-old when they died last month.
They passed away just days after appearing on TV over Christmas, starring on a festive special of BBC's Blankety Blank.
The drag icon's cause of death is yet to be announced publicly, and minimal details about their tragic passing have been shared, reports The Mirror.
"We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve," Simon Jones wrote.
Simon later shared an additional tribute to his late client. He said via Instagram: "These are words I never ever wanted to write. Viv was a close friend. a client and someone I loved very much."
"From the moment I met them in 2019 I knew we could create magic together and I became their manager. Their talent was immense and the light they brought to every room was astonishing. 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."
The tribute continued saying: "I’m so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last five years. It’s tragic that their career was only just beginning. In musical theatre Viv had found a space and career they loved, excelled and thrived in. I am heartbroken and devastated at this news. RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon."
Who was The Vivienne?
Born James Lee Williams, The Vivienne was the first RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner in 2020. The star also competed on an all-winners season of the RuPaul franchise in the US in 2022 as the only UK contestant for that series.
Speaking in 2019 ahead of competing in the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne explained their name saying: "I love Vivienne Westwood and when I moved to Liverpool everyone used to call me Vivienne as I was head to toe in Westwood.
"So when I started doing drag it was a natural progression, but I didn’t want one of those cheap, nasty, slutty drag names so I thought of ‘The Vivienne’ and here she is, there’s only one of them."
The Vivienne said of their drag style: "My style is like a Scouse wife who has come into money, she moved to LA and blew it all and then she’s had to move back to Liverpool. I like to have a really fierce look, but I like to be hilarious on stage so I’m kind of an old school and the new school put together which I think works.
"Comedy is definitely my trump card. My favourite trick in drag is my vocal impersonations so I do everyone from Kim Woodburn, Cilla Black, Donald Trump – you name it, I’ll do it – for the right price.”
The Vivienne landed in the finale alongside Baga Chipz and Divina De Campo, with judge Graham Norton saying in the final critique ahead of the winner being named that The Vivienne had "it all".
After their Drag Race triumph in 2020, they went on to appear on a number of UK shows, including Dancing On Ice, Emmerdale, Celebrity Hunted and The Weakest Link.
They were also a rising star in the world of theatre and performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical, reprising the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
They were due to be back on tour in February performing in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical in the role of the Childcatcher.
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