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I am not surprised by the outpouring of grief in the press, and social media, for James Lee Williams: The Vivienne, who passed away last weekend aged 32.
I was delighted to say that I was a good friend of this lovely, talented man who in the early days learnt his stage craft in some very dodgy venues. What a dreadful way to start 2025, by losing this larger-than-life young man.
We built a great trust between us, and I think he respected my opinion. He was telling me about this year, as he had two deals on the table that would have catapulted him to another level in show business.
Sadly this will never happen. Last time we were together, he came to the Playhouse and brought his mum to see me as the narrator in the Rocky Horror Show with Jason Donavon, who he met backstage.
James wanted to know why I gave him a mention from the stage. I replied, because of the reaction the audience gave.
They went wild knowing he was amongst them. His mum told me that they had just been shopping in Cheshire Oaks, and he was mobbed.
He never took for granted where his roots came from. I’ve interviewed him quite a lot over the years.
There’s one interview on my podcast about his dark days with drugs and alcohol. He went to live in Tenerife, and that saved his life.
After winning Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK his journey really started. He has done so much TV, and tours.
He was sensational in Dancing on Ice and tremendous as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz musical.
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When he appeared on stage, he took command. Viv went on to join the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as the dastardly Childcatcher, which our late great Paul O’Grady played in 2002 at the London Palladium.
Everyone says the car is the star of the show. Well not when the Vivienne, or Paul O’Grady was in it.
The Vivienne had a great future and it was only just beginning. On a personal level, I will miss our late-night chats about the business.
I am sure he would be shocked, and flattered, at the outpouring of grief for him. He will be missed by millions, and I have some very happy memories.
Claire Sweeney and I were going to dinner at his house in a couple of weeks. I will now never know what his cooking was like.
James, I will really miss you, and your wicked tongue.
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