TV tributes have poured in for The Vivienne with the cast of Emmerdale and their former Dancing On Ice partner sharing emotional statements.
Stars of the ITV soap remembered the ‘gorgeous soul’ following a guest appearance back in 2021 to mark the Dale’s first ever Pride celebrations.
Colin Grafton, who skated alongside The Vivienne on ITV‘s Dancing On Ice in 2023, added in a heartfelt post: ‘They truly brought light into every room.’
The drag performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died at the weekend aged 32 following a glittering career when they won the inaugural season of RuPaul ‘s Drag Race UK in 2019.
Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, on Emmerdale posted a photo of James and wrote: ‘You incredible human…..rest in peace.
‘Never stop shining your beautiful light over us all. Love and strength to all your family. We will miss you so much.’
TV tributes have poured in for The Vivienne with the cast of Emmerdale and their former Dancing On Ice partner sharing emotional statements
Colin Grafton, who skated alongside The Vivienne on ITV ‘s Dancing On Ice in 2023, added in a heartfelt post: ‘They truly brought light into every room’
Ash Palmisciano, who portrays Matty Barton, added: ‘So sad to hear @thevivienne_. Such a nice person and far too young!
‘Feel very lucky I got to meet you. Rest in peace lovely soul.’
Ash’s on-screen wife Natalie Ann Jamieson shared: ‘I can’t believe what I’m reading! Rest in peace you gorgeous soul.’
Emmerdale producer Laura Shaw posted: ‘Feeling very sad. Lovely person gone too soon.’
Elsewhere, Dancing On Ice professional Colin, paid tribute to the late TV star, in an emotional statement.
James made history when they became the first drag act to reach the show’s finale, placing third.
In a post on Instagram, Colin said: ‘I can’t believe I’m writing these words. It is with an extraordinarily heavy heart that I say goodbye to my beautiful friend and skating partner, The Vivienne.
‘Viv was and is a true icon in every sense of the word, and inspired thousands of people far and wide with everything they did and accomplished.’
Stars of the ITV soap remembered the ‘gorgeous soul’ following a guest appearance back in 2021 to mark the Dale’s first ever Pride celebrations
Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, on Emmerdale posted a photo of James and wrote: ‘You incredible human…..rest in peace. Never stop shining your beautiful light over us all’
Ash Palmisciano, who portrays Matty Barton, added: ‘So sad to hear @thevivienne_. Such a nice person and far too young!’
Ash’s on-screen wife Natalie Ann Jamieson shared: ‘I can’t believe what I’m reading! Rest in peace you gorgeous soul’
He continued: ‘They truly brought light into every room they entered, and gave so many people hope where there was none. I am truly heartbroken.
‘What we were able to accomplish together on Dancing On Ice was truly remarkable and I know your bravery and our partnership inspired many people.
‘I will always be so proud of what we accomplished. Viv, your spirit, strength, and kindness will always stay with me and with everyone you touched. I will forever cherish our time together on and off the ice, you will forever be my Mary Poppins.
‘I promise to carry your memory with me in everything I do. You taught me so much about so many things, and I am eternally grateful. Your legacy lives on.’
Dancing On Ice remembered The Vivienne’s ‘unique vitality and fearless spirit’ when they competed on the ice skating show in 2023.
A post to the show’s official Instagram said: ‘Everyone at Dancing on Ice is so deeply saddened by the passing of James Lee Williams, best known to our audiences as The Vivienne.
‘Making TV history through their groundbreaking and spellbinding skating partnership with Colin Grafton, James’ unique vitality and fearless spirit entranced audiences week after week, as they became the first drag act to reach the final of the show.
‘Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their family and friends.’
The Vivienne’s tragic death was confirmed on Sunday by her publicist, who paid tribute to the ‘incredibly loved star’.
And in an update on Monday, police revealed that they found ‘no suspicious circumstances’.
Cheshire Police said officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
A spokesman for the force 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.’
Confirming the tragic death on Instagram yesterday, The Vivienne’s 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.
‘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. 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.’
James made history when they became the first drag act to reach the Dancing On Ice’s finale, placing third.
In a post on Instagram, Colin said: ‘Viv was and is a true icon in every sense of the word, and inspired thousands of people far and wide with everything they did and accomplished’
He continued: ‘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. No one has ever made me laugh as much in my life 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 everyday for the last five 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.’
Williams, who came second on the 2023 series of Dancing on Ice, recently performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Irelands tour of The Wizard of Oz musical and reprised their role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.