Who was ‘The Vivienne’ aka James Lee Williams? Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK & Dancing On Ice contestant?

THE Vivienne became one of the most high-profile drag queens in the UK, after she took home the trophy on the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Sadly, the performer's publicist Simon Jones confirmed on January 5, 2025, that she had passed away.

Rocketing to fame

The Vivienne was born James Lee Williams on April 12, 1992. 

She was raised in North Wales and moved to Liverpool at the age of 16. 

After making the move to the north-west of England, she launched her drag career and took her name from the iconic fashion designer Vivienne Westwood. 

In 2015, she appeared on the very first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

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Drag legends RuPaul and Michelle Visage were wowed by The Vivienne’s hilarious antics, which included a searing impersonation of Donald Trump, as well as her high-fashion outfits. 

She took home the trophy and became one of the most recognisable drag queens on TV.

Life in the public eye

The Vivienne bagged her own TV show on BBC Three, entitled The Vivienne Takes Hollywood, and even appeared on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted. 

Viewers fell in love with her all over again when she appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2023. 

However, that same year, the performer fell victim to a homophobic attack in a McDonald’s in Liverpool. 

Merseyside Police said that a man made “homophobic comments” towards the drag queen before punching them “in the face”. 

The Vivienne opened up in court about how the incident left her traumatised. 

She said: "I moved away from home at 16 and have always been so confident and never let my surroundings dictate what I do with my life.

"The Saturday or Sunday after the attack I was at Chester train station travelling on my own, and I wasn't aware it was Chester races and there were a lot of people around getting lairy.

"It was the first time in my life I've ever shied away from any situation.

"I found myself hiding at the end of the platform away from the public because I was dealing with you know, what if this happens again?

"I think that was the moment where it really sunk in how much this had affected me.

"As a 31-year-old man that's quite difficult to come to terms with."

The man behind the attack, Alan Whitfield, was found guilty of assault motivated by homophobia and sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, with an 18-month suspended sentence. 

The Vivienne’s love life

The Vivienne had married David Ludford in 2019, after meeting him in Gran Canaria in 2017. 

According to David, the pair “clicked straight away” and even shared a love for drag. 

David is the owner of a wig production and styling company. 

The couple separated in 2023, after spending seven years together. 

The Vivienne’s tragic death

Sadly, the Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones announced that the performer had passed away on January 5, 2025. 

Simon issued a heartbreaking statement which read: “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.”

Simon added: “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.”

David also issued a statement in which he said that The Vivienne taught him “what it was really like to love someone”. 
Michelle Visage, one of the judges on RuPaul’s Drag Race, described the performer as a “beacon to so many”.