Danny Beard, the second Merseyside winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK after The Vivienne, has paid tribute to the star
Danny Beard, the second Merseyside winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK after The Vivienne, has paid tribute to the star
Halewood drag queen Danny Beard has paid tribute to The Vivienne after they died, aged 32, over the weekend. Publicist Simon Jones took to Instagram on Sunday, January 5, to confirm his client and friend, James Lee Williams, had passed away.
Since then, tributes have been pouring in from all over the world and no more so than from Liverpool – the city where The Vivienne made a name for herself before being catapulted to fame after winning the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019. Six years later, there has only ever been one other Merseyside winner, with Danny Beard bringing the crown home again after finishing in first place on series four of the BBC show.
The performer told their 195,000 followers they had always looked up to ‘Viv’ as a “proper entertainer”, stating “we’ve lost a friend, all of us”. Danny said: “She made people she didn’t know feel like they were seen. I’ve always admired that in her. She connected with people and that’s something you can’t buy.
“She was one of the most passionate, talented, geeky girls I’ve ever known. When you worked with her you knew she was gonna show up and do the job like a pro and while you’re both there, you’d be laughing your tits of.
“Her love for creating characters wasn’t just what we all saw on TV or on stage! When you’re with Viv she’s creating them all the time! Always doing a bit, or a voice, and it made for the best fucking time. HOWLING! There’s a piece missing now. See ya girl!!”
In a statement today, Monday, January 6, Cheshire Police said officers had been called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12.22 pm on Sunday following reports of a sudden death.
The spokesman added: “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.”
Publicist Simon Jones paid tribute to the TV star, explaining that they were more than just a client but also a friend. He said: “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, warm-hearted, 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.”
In a separate post, Simon added: “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 in my life as much as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.”
