New details about The Vivienne’s death have been revealed…
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home, an inquest opening has heard. James Lee Williams, who performed as the beloved drag queen, was found dead at their home in Cheshire on Sunday, January, 5, 2025. An inquest into the 32-year-old’s death was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar delivered the news that the TV star was found dead in the bathroom at their home address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester. Police confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. The Vivienne’s body was identified by their father, Lee Williams, the inquest heard.
Ms Edgar said: “Post-mortem testing has been undertaken, identifying an unnatural cause of death.”
The brief hearing, which lasted only two minutes, was attended by four members of the press.
Area coroner Victoria Davies said at the hearing: “Given the unnatural cause of death identified on post-mortem testing it is appropriate for me to formally open the inquest into the death of James Lee Williams.”
She added that further investigations are required. The case was adjourned and a full inquest was listed to take place on June, 30, 2025.
James Lee Williams grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, where he began his career in drag. The Vivienne, whose drag name came from their love of the fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, rose to prominence after winning the first UK series of RuPaul’s Drag Race in 2019 after lip-syncing in the final to “I’m Your Man,” by Wham! The Vivienne subsequently appeared in the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022, the only non-U.S. winner invited to participate in the season.
In addition to Drag Race, The Vivienne competed on numerous other reality competitions, including Celebrity Mastermind, Celebrity Karaoke Club and was a finalist in the UK series of Dancing on Ice in 2023, finishing in third place. They also served as a host on Netflix’s Still Watching. Most recently The Vivienne 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 at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
In a statement, RuPaul said: “With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne – an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.”
Williams’ funeral in Denbighshire took place on Monday January, 27, 2025 and was attended by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi, Baga Chipz and Cheryl along with Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney and JLS’s Aston Merrygold.
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