The Vivienne’s close friend and co-star Cheryl Hole has honoured the late star
Fans and well-known friends from around the world are grieving the passing of an icon, as the late Drag Race UK star sadly passed away at the beginning of this year. Ahead of the awards, their co-star, Cheryl Hole, who based their personality on Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy (then known as Cole) spoke of honouring The Vivienne.
Tonight, Cheryl will honour The Vivienne on stage in front of a star-studded audience including host Rylan Clark and singer-songwriter, Anastacia. Speaking to the Mirror, Cheryl said: “The biggest thing for me tonight is making sure we celebrate The Vivienne, her legacy, her drag and her spirit to the fullest, because she was the epitome of UK drag, the first UK winner. And we take it with great pride.
An inquest opening was conducted earlier this month and revealed that the Vivienne had been found dead in their home’s bathroom. The drag queen, James Lee Williams, was found dead at their Cheshire home on January 5th. An inquest into the 32-year-old’s death was opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington on February 12th.
Coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar said The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom at their home address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.
Ms Edgar said: “Post-mortem testing has been undertaken, identifying an unnatural cause of death”. The hearing, which lasted two minutes, was told the late star was identified by their father, Lee Williams.
According to area coroner Victoria Davies, it is appropriate for me to formally open the inquest into James Lee Williams’ death because the unnatural cause of death was determined by post-mortem testing. She added that more research is required. A full inquest was scheduled for June 30th, but the case was adjourned. Four members of the press showed up for the brief hearing.
The Vivienne, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice. The actor reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year while touring The Wizard of Oz musical in the UK and Ireland.
They were scheduled to reprise their role as the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s tour this month. Their funeral, held in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, last month, was attended by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi, Baga Chipz and Cheryl along with Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.
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Source: Mirror
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