Tributes are flooding in for The Vivienne, drag artist and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, after their sudden death at the age of just 32.
The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, died at the weekend, their public relations representative shared with an emotional tribute.
As well as winning the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne also finished in third place in Dancing On Ice in 2023.
They’d also recently added West End star to their impressive CV, with a role as The Child Catcher in the touring theatre production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which comes to Manchester in March.
Tributes are now flooding in for the star, who is being described as ‘a beacon’ with an ‘immense talent’.
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Announcing the new of their death, Simon Jones PR wrote: “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, warmhearted 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.
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“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.”
Tributes pour in after RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star The Vivienne dies aged 32. Credit: BBC
In a later tribute to The Vivienne, Simon added: “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.
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“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.
“I’m so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life every day for the last 5 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.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge and producer Michelle Visage said: “Heartbreaking. I don’t know how to say how I feel. My darling @thevivienne_ we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point.
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“Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all. You were a beacon to so many.
“Seeing you make your West End debut was amazing for me to witness your dream come true right in front of my eyes, I’m the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times.
“I love you my darling. You will be so missed my lovely. May your light shine fiercely, forever. RIP MY ANGEL fly high.”
Danny Beard is among those paying tribute to The Vivienne. Credit: Instagram, Danny Beard
Fellow RuPaul star Danny Beard wrote: “We’ve lost a friend, all of us. Viv was a proper entertainer, she made people she didn’t know feel like they were seen. I’ve always admired that in her. She connected with people and that’s something you can’t buy.
“She was one of the most passionate, talented, geeky, girls I’ve ever known. When you worked with her you knew she was gonna show up and do the job like a pro and while you’re both there you’d be laughing your tits off!
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“Her love for creating characters wasn’t just what we all saw on TV or on stage! When you’re with Viv she’s creating them all the time! Always doing a bit, or a voice, and it made for the best fucking time. HOWLING!
“There’s a piece missing now. See ya girl!!”
The BBC said in a statement: “We are currently processing the deeply sad news of the passing of James Lee Williams, known to many as The Vivienne. 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.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race official account shared: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne. Her talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration.
“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. Our hearts go out to her family and fans during this difficult time.”
Mancs wanted to test their willpower in the wilderness for ‘life-changing’ cash prize in new TV show
Emily Sergeant
Mancs who are willing to put their willpower to the test in a bid to win a ‘life-changing’ cash prize are wanted for a new TV show.
Are you prepared to take on the ultimate test of willpower? Channel 4 is currently casting for the potential next series of the smash-hit show, Tempting Fortune, and is calling on brave people from across Greater Manchester to apply to take part.
Tempting Fortune is described as being a ‘groundbreaking social experiment’.
Filmed in a distant paradise, this epic series full of twists and turns – which ended its gripping second season last Sunday (6 April) – gives a group of regular people the chance to take part in an adventure ‘with a twist’ and earn a ‘substantial cash reward’ at the end of it.
Mancs willing to test their willpower in the wilderness are wanted for a new TV show / Credit: Channel 4
But what stands in the way of that cash prize is the wilderness, and contestants will be tasked with grappling with the elements, the terrain, and their own willpower along the way.
A casting call for the potential upcoming next series of the show on the Channel 4 website reads: “We are casting for fun, diverse individuals from all different backgrounds.
“We are looking for applicants who are excited by the challenge of embarking on a new adventure that will test them both physically and mentally.”
Find out more and apply on the Channel 4 website here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Stockport’s Aimee Lou Wood slams SNL for ‘mean and unfunny’ White Lotus sketch
Danny Jones
Stopfordian White Lotus star, Aimee Lou Wood, has fired back at Saturday Night Live (SNL) following a new skit that has been equally slammed by others on social media for mocking her.
Wood was the subject of a recent skit on SNL entitled ‘The White Potus’, in which her physical appearance and voice were heavily parodied.
The Bramhall-born actor is best known for her roles in Netflix’s Sex Education, Daddy Issues – the BBC Three comedy filmed in Stockport – and now the hit HBO show, White Lotus, becoming an increasingly household name both in Britain and in the US.
Unfortunately, it is her increasingly recognisable face that the long-running sketch comedy show seemingly targeted as one of their jokes last week, and now Aimee Lou Wood has commented on the controversy, confessing that she was left hurt by the jokes.
Replying to an Instagram post which read, “YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD”, a first response to what has been labelled an ‘insensitive’ sketch was coaxed out of her, with Wood writing: “Whilst in honest mode – I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny.”
The 31-year-old has since gone on to continue discussing the matter in multiple IG stories, reiterating that while she is not “thin-skinned”, understands the show and has enjoyed it even of late, she would have liked something done in a “more nuanced, less cheap way.”
She went on to say: “On a positive note, everyone is agreeing with me about it, so I’m glad I said something instead of going in on myself.”
The Greater Manchester native has been hit with a wave of support online, with many pointing out that everyone else parodied was a political figure except her, as Wood also noted that the rest of the sketch was “punching up” until it came to her teeth and Mancunian accent.
Wood insisted that she didn’t take issue with the SNL cast member who played her, Sarah Sherman, but more the content of the joke, adding that the joke was about fluoride (i.e. toothpaste) and that she has “big teeth not bad teeth.” She also qualified that claims about her treatment by HBO were false.
Credit: Screenshots via IG
Wood has since revealed that SNL – which is aired by US network NBC – have now sent their apologies, though she hasn’t detailed exactly what message(s) received state.
It looks like the SK local is now hoping to draw a line under the whole thing, but she is still being met with an outpouring of love and support from her followers and fellow famous names.
One of those who came to her defence is former Channel 4 presenter and The Good Place star Jameela Jamil, who wrote: “I hate this so much. It’s the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor. Our next Olivia Coleman…
“We make fun of the assimilation of women, then mercilessly obsess over anyone with any slightly alternative features […] I also think she’s so f***ing beatiful and love her face so much and wouldn’t want her to look any different.”
Daisy Jackson -
6th January 2025 
