RuPaul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne found dead in bathroom after ‘unnatural’ death aged just 32, inquest told

THE Vivienne was recovered dormant successful their bath aft suffering an "unnatural" death, an inquest heard.

James Lee Williams, who won the archetypal bid of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, was discovered dormant astatine a location adjacent Chester connected January 5.

An inquest heard contiguous however a station mortem recovered they died from an "unnatural" decease but further tests are needed.

Cheshire Police antecedently confirmed Williams' decease was not being treated arsenic suspicious.

Their tragic decease was announced by publicist Simon Jones, who paid tribute to the "incredibly loved, warm-hearted and astonishing person".

He added that Williams would beryllium remembered for their "immense talent" and "the airy they brought to each country was astonishing".

Simon added: "Their household are heartbroken astatine the nonaccomplishment of their son, member and uncle.

"They are truthful arrogant of the fantastic things James achieved successful their beingness and career."

Williams won the archetypal play of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, which aired successful 2019.

They went connected to vie successful an all-winners play of the franchise successful the US successful 2022.

Williams besides starred connected BBC Three amusement The Vivienne Takes On Hollywood successful 2020 and appeared connected Channel 4's Celebrity Hunted For Stand Up To Cancer successful 2022.

In 2023, Williams came 3rd spot connected Dancing connected Ice - with justice Oti Mabuse starring tributes to the "phenomenal entertainer" and "trailblazer".

Presenter Holly Willoughby besides shared her heartache astatine the commencement of past month's caller series.

She said: "Before we determination on, similar us, galore of you volition person been saddened by the tragic quality of The Vivienne's passing past weekend.

"Now they were a immense portion of our show, making it each the mode to the last successful 2023.

"They'll beryllium precise sorely missed and our thoughts are with The Vivienne's loved ones astatine this time. So sad."

RuPaul's Drag Race justice Michelle Visage besides paid tribute to Williams, penning that their decease was "heartbreaking".

Alongside pictures of them together, Visage wrote connected Instagram: "We spell backmost to erstwhile I started coming implicit present to the UK.

"You were ever there, ever laughing, ever giving, ever connected point.

"Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved each of it but I loved your relationship astir of all. You were a beacon to truthful many.

"Seeing you marque your West End debut was astonishing for maine to witnesser your imagination travel existent close successful beforehand of my eyes.

"I'm the fortunate 1 to person known you and to person laughed unneurotic with you truthful galore times."

Williams was calved successful Wales but moved to Liverpool arsenic a teen to motorboat a vocation arsenic a marque up artist.

They met hubby David Ludford aft moving to Gran Canaria successful 2017.

The mates announced their separation successful April 2023.

David paid tribute pursuing the tragedy, saying: "My bosom virtually sank erstwhile I got the call.

"Never successful a cardinal years did I ever deliberation I'd ever beryllium penning thing similar this astir James Lee Williams.

"This antheral changed my beingness truthful overmuch from the time we archetypal met successful August 2017 successful Gran Canaria! We virtually clicked consecutive distant and we knew we was going to beryllium unneurotic for on time!

"He made maine consciousness emotion and shown maine what it was truly similar to emotion someone.

"You volition ever person a spot successful my heart. Going to miss you much than radical volition ever know. Sleep choky angel."