The Vivienne's former husband speaks out with a heartfelt tribute following the death of the ITV Dancing on Ice drag star at the age of 32: 'My heart sank'.

 

Published: 06/01/2025

The ex-husband of RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice star The Vivienne has shared a heartfelt tribute following the tragic death of the star at the age of 32 this weekend.

James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, was confirmed to have passed away on Sunday. The news was shared by publicist Simon Jones, who described The Vivienne as "an incredibly loved, warmhearted and amazing person." The statement continued, saying that The Vivienne’s family was "heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle," adding that they were "so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career."

On Monday, a spokesperson for Cheshire Police provided an update, confirming that officers were called to an address near Chester at 12:22 p.m. on Sunday. "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," the spokesperson said, according to Manchester Evening News.

Following the announcement, tributes to The Vivienne began flooding in from fans and celebrities. Among those remembering the Dancing on Ice star was their ex-husband, David Ludford, who posted a heartfelt album of wedding photos along with a touching message.

"My heart literally sank when I got the call," wrote Ludford, who runs a drag wig company called Drag Helmet.

The couple first met in August 2017 in Gran Canaria, where The Vivienne had been performing regularly at a show bar called Sparkles. They married in 2019 at London's Heaven nightclub, with their bond quickly growing after what Ludford described as an instant connection. "We literally clicked straight away and knew we were going to be together for a long time," Ludford recalled in his tribute.

"He made me feel love and showed me what it was really like to love someone," Ludford continued. "We literally went through so much together; it was like a whirlwind, and I wouldn't have changed the time we spent together for anything in the world."

Although the couple had been divorced for just over a year, Ludford shared his heartache over the loss, saying, "I feel like a fool feeling this upset and hurt, but we were together for six years, and we loved each other so much."

"I’m so happy to say I not only met you, but we were together, we were husbands, and you were the biggest part of my life for such a long time. You will always have a place in my heart. I’m going to miss you more than people will ever know," he concluded.

The couple had announced their separation in April 2023 after five and a half years together, with a joint statement noting that while they had "grown apart," they remained friends.