Cliff Notes – Drag Race star leads tributes to The Vivienne on first birthday after their death
- Emotional tributes have been shared by friends and fans of The Vivienne, including Cheryl The Queen, on what would have been their 33rd birthday, following their tragic death at 32 due to ketamine-related cardiac arrest.
- The Vivienne’s family is advocating for ketamine to be reclassified as a Class A drug to protect vulnerable individuals, highlighting the need for legislative change in the wake of their passing.
- The Vivienne was posthumously honoured with the Icon Award at the inaugural Metro Pride Awards, with heartfelt speeches from family members reflecting on their impact and legacy in the Entertainment industry.
Drag Race star leads tributes to The Vivienne on first birthday after their death
Tributes have been paid to The Vivienne on what would have been their 33rd birthday (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Drag Race UK star Cheryl The Queen has led emotional tributes to The Vivienne, on what would have been their 33rd birthday.
The Drag Queen, whose real name was James Lee Williams, died on January 5 at the age of 32.
Williams’ body was found in the bathroom of their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, with their cause of death later revealed to be as a result of ‘effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest’.
Their family is now fighting to change the law so that ketamine would be classified as a Class A drug to ‘protect vulnerable individuals’.
Following the tragic news of The Vivienne’s death, fans and friends paid tribute to the Dancing On Ice star, who won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.
Cheryl, the stage name of Luke Underwood-Bleach, has now led tributes with a touching post on Instagram.
Cheryl The Queen has led tributes to The Vivienne (Picture: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for World Of Wonder Productions)
The Drag Race UK winner died in January (Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images for Empire State Realty Trust)
They shared a clip of the pair recalling their worst dating stories, writing in the caption: ‘Happy Heavenly Birthday @thevivienne_ ❤️
‘This clip always makes me smile with how much you cared! We miss you, we love you, we celebrate YOU!’
‘Happy birthday Viv/James. We love you very much, my darling!’ follower Luciana Borinato commented.
Steff Kopp wrote: ‘Ohhh this clip ❤️ miss her so very much.’
‘Oh wow it’s still crazy to think their gone ❤️it’s still not real,’ @caseimizell said.
The Vivienne’s manager and friend Simon Jones also shared an emotional post paying tribute, writing: ‘Today is Viv’s birthday.
‘I will spend the day thinking of James and how loved and adored they are.
‘I haven’t done a post of moments until now because honestly I didn’t know where to begin. We had so, so many amazing times that’s it’s hard to pick just a few.
‘But here on James’s birthday I’m sharing some of my favourite pics and moments.
‘I miss you everyday James, and my life is just not the same without you. A part of my heart will always be broken, but I am so grateful for the brilliant times we shared and the huge ground breaking things we achieved.
‘As always I’m sending huge love to James’s beautiful family and friends today who have been truly incredible during this time. Happy Birthday Viv. Love you forever.’
This comes after The Vivienne was honoured at the inaugural Metro Pride Awards with the very first Icon Award, which was accepted by their manager Simon Jones, their father Lee and their sister Chanel.
In an emotional speech that he struggled to get through at times, Lee said: ‘James loved being a part of the entertainment world and I know he would have been happy. I know he would have absolutely loved tonight’s events.
The Vivienne was posthumously honoured at the Metro Pride Awards (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
‘When he was nominated for the Metro award for rising star last year, he was honoured and made up to be here.
‘While it is extremely bittersweet to be here tonight without him, being under this roof meant the world to him. Thank you to everyone for your huge love and support.’
Chanel told Metro: ‘He’d be over the moon with what’s happening here tonight, and the fact that we’re here as well, I think he’d have a bit of a laugh about that, that we’ve managed to get out tonight.
‘It’s a bit bittersweet because he should be here, but it’s a celebration of him and we’re really grateful to be a part of that.’
Friends and fans have paid tribute to The Vivienne since their death (Picture: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)
Williams grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, and later moved to Liverpool.
After winning the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, they came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
The star also performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of the musical and made appearances in Emmerdale, released their own music, and took part in Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted in 2022 in aid of Stand Up to Cancer.
Their funeral was held in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, in January and was attended by Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn, and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.