Drag Race UK champion The Vivienne was discovered dead in the bathroom of their home after experiencing an 'unnatural' death, inquest reveals.
The tragic death of RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner, The Vivienne, was the subject of an inquest opened today after the star's sudden passing on January 5. The drag performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams, was found deceased in the bathroom of their home in Cheshire. A post-mortem revealed the cause of death as "unnatural," though no further details were provided regarding the circumstances of their passing.
The body of The Vivienne was identified by their father, Lee Williams, to police, with the Cheshire Coroner’s Court confirming that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. Area Coroner Victoria Davies briefly adjourned the hearing, scheduling a full inquest for June 30 to allow further investigation into the cause of death.
Williams, who was just 32 years old at the time of their death, rose to international fame after winning the inaugural season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. While their career skyrocketed following their victory, Williams openly battled with drug addiction, a struggle they had previously spoken about publicly. Coroner's officer Amanda Edgar shared at the hearing in Warrington that The Vivienne was found dead at their home in Chorlton-by-Backford on January 5. Police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
The drag performer, real name James Lee Williams (pictured out of drag), passed away on January 5 at the age of 32.
Ms. Edgar added that a post-mortem had identified "an unnatural cause of death," prompting the coroner to adjourn proceedings in order to allow further investigation. A review hearing is scheduled for May 5.
In the wake of The Vivienne's death, news quickly spread, sparking an outpouring of grief from fans, family, and friends. In tribute, hundreds gathered in Liverpool to release green balloons to The Vivienne's favorite songs from Wicked. Notable figures, including Ian 'H' Watkins, Kim Woodburn, Jade Thirlwall, Aston Merrygold, and Claire Sweeney, attended the star's funeral in Denbighshire, North Wales. At the service, The Vivienne’s crown and scepter from Drag Race UK were carried into the church before their coffin, while mourners wore green and some adorned Vivienne Westwood badges on their suits.
Floral tributes included messages such as "Vivienne," "James," and "Son," with one tribute taking the shape of a witch's hat in honor of The Vivienne’s Wizard of Oz performance.
Cheshire Police responded to the call at 12:22 PM on January 5, following reports of a sudden death, confirming that no suspicious circumstances were found.
The Vivienne, born in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, found early inspiration in drag watching Lily Savage on TV. Describing Wales as a "big-fish-in-a-small-pond situation," Williams moved to Liverpool at the age of 16 to pursue a career as a makeup artist. It was there that they earned their drag name, The Vivienne, after dressing in Vivienne Westwood clothing. Their passion for drag grew as they performed with friends in the evenings.
The Vivienne achieved wider recognition after winning RuPaul's Drag Race UK and went on to compete in the 2022 season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, finishing third on Dancing on Ice in 2023. They also starred in the BBC Three series The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood in 2020 and appeared on Celebrity Hunted For Stand Up to Cancer in 2022.
Despite their success, Williams faced struggles with addiction, notably to party drugs. They acknowledged the need for help and sought treatment at The Armistead Centre in Liverpool. The Vivienne was slated to return to the stage in January 2024, performing in The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Musical as the Childcatcher.
Publicist Simon Jones confirmed the death, calling The Vivienne "an incredibly loved" person, with many co-stars and loved ones expressing their sadness. EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer shared her condolences on X (formerly Twitter), saying, "What devastating news. Sleep easy beautiful soul. Thank you for being you." Oti Mabuse, paying tribute on Instagram, said, "I absolutely loved The Viv. A beautiful human being, funny, kind, a trailblazer, creative and so warm." RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage described the news as "heartbreaking."
The full inquest into the death of The Vivienne will take place on June 30 at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington, overseen by Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish.
