Police have confirmed they were called to a house near Chester after the death of former RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne.
The 32-year-old’s death was announced on Sunday evening and has prompted an outpouring of tributes from celebrities and colleagues.
The performer rose to prominence in 2015 after becoming the UK Drag Ambassador for the American series of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
They went on to win the first UK series of the show in 2019 and came third on the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
A spokesman for Cheshire Police said officers were called to a house in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
They said there were “no suspicious circumstances”.
The spokesman said: “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.”
Sharing the news of Williams’ death, their publicist Simon Jones said they would be remembered for their “immense talent”, adding “the light they brought to every room was astonishing”.
The statement said Williams’ family were “heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle” and would not be releasing further details.
Williams, who was born in Wales and later moved to Liverpool, performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End last year.
They were due to be back on tour next month performing in the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical in the role of the Childcatcher.
A host of celebrities have paid tribute, with Dancing On Ice judge Oti Mabuse calling The Vivienne a “phenomenal entertainer” and “trailblazer”.
Fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon said the star made a “mark in our hearts”.
RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage said Williams’ death was “heartbreaking”.
Alongside pictures of them together, Visage wrote on Instagram: “We go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point.
“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.”
Former EastEnders actress Patsy Palmer, who appeared with Williams on Dancing On Ice, said she was “lost for words” and “deeply saddened”.
“You were so beautiful inside and out and I will never forget our experiences we shared during Dancing On Ice,” she wrote.
Coronation Street star Antony Cotton said it was “unbelievably sad” and Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley called The Vivienne an “incredible human” who will be missed.
RuPaul’s Drag Race said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of The Vivienne”.
In a post on social media, the show said Williams’ “talent, humour, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration”.
Fiona Campbell, BBC controller of youth audience, said the news was “deeply sad”, adding that the broadcaster was “fiercely proud of The Vivienne’s achievements”.
Speaking in 2019, The Vivienne described their drag style as “like a Scouse wife who has come into money, she moved to LA and blew it all and then she’s had to move back to Liverpool”.
They said they had adopted the drag name The Vivienne in honour of the clothes designer Vivienne Westwood because they dressed “head to toe in Westwood”.
A man who attacked the drag star in a hate crime in June 2023 received a suspended jail term last January.
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court ruled the one-punch attack by unemployed scaffolder Alan Whitfield on Williams was homophobic.
Williams’ face was bruised and hurt for a week, but they told the court that “luckily” they were a 6ft ex-rugby player who could take a punch.
