Police give update on tragic death of RuPaul’s Drag Race star The Vivienne
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Getty Images/Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images/Astrid Stawiarz
RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne passed away at the age of 32 and a police spokesperson has confirmed that there are 'no suspicious circumstances'.
The Vivienne - real name James Lee Williams - won the first season of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, adopting the drag name as a result of wearing clothing designed by Vivienne Westwood.
On Sunday evening (January 5), their publicist announced the news of their passing.
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In a post to Instagram, publicist Simon Jones wrote: "It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams - The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
“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.
"We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”
Fans of the drag performer were quick to flock to social media, noting what a 'shock' the news was and issuing tributes to the reality TV star.
And now, a spokesperson for Cheshire Police has since addressed the star's passing.
A statement reads: "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."
The statement follows multiple friends and fans of The Vivienne sharing tributes to social media.
Wicked star Ariana Grande took to her Instagram story to re-share a post originally shared by The Vivienne's All Stars co-star Jinkx Monsoon.
Monsoon shared three photographs of The Vivienne alongside the caption: "I don’t entirely have words… She has made her mark in our hearts and on her stages.
"It’s too soon for a curtain call but I know it’s a standing ovation. I love you Viv."
Grande added three hearts and an infinity sign to her story of the original post.
Fiona Campbell, Controller, Youth Audience for BBC iPlayer & BBC Three - the channel which airs RuPaul's Drag Race UK - said in a statement shared via BBC press office's Instagram account: "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."
Sahir House - the oldest LGBTQ+ charity in the Liverpool City Region in the UK, which also supports people living with HIV - said in a social media post that it's 'here' for anyone who needs support following the news of Williams' passing.
Sahir House - which The Vivienne raised awareness of in their final post to Instagram - said: "For more information, please email us at [email protected] or call 0151 673 0192. Let’s continue to support one another, just as The Vivienne would have wanted."
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].