The Vivienne’s ex-husband breaks silence with tribute as ITV Dancing on Ice drag star dies aged 32: ‘My heart sank’
The ex-husband of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing on Ice star The Vivienne has shared an emotional tribute following the star’s tragic death at the age 32 this weekend.
James Lee Williams, known professionally at The Vivienne, was confirmed to have died on Sunday.
News of The Vivienne’s death was announced by publicist Simon Jones where he described the Drag Race star as “an incredibly loved, warmhearted and amazing person.”
“Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle,” the statement read, adding that the family “are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.”
Sharing an update on Monday, a spokesperson for Cheshire Police announced officers had been called to an address near Chester at 12:22pm 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 confirmed, according to Manchester Evening News.
Following the announcement, tributes to The Vivienne poured in from fans and showbiz friends. Among those remembering the Dancing on Ice star was their ex-husband, David Ludford – who posted an album of wedding photos alongside a touching tribute to the drag star.
“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 relationship quickly developing after what Ludford described as an instant connection.
“We literally clicked straight away and we knew we was going to be together for along time,” Ludford shared in his tribute.
“He made me feel love and shown me what it was really like to love someone,” he added.
“We literally went through and did so much together it was like a whirlwind and I wouldn’t have changed the time we spent together for anything in the world,” the heartbroken ex wrote.
“I feel like a tit feeling this upset and hurt because we have been fully divorced for just over a year now but we was together 6 year and we loved each other so much,” Ludford continued.
“I’m so happy to say I not only met you but we was together, we was husbands and you was the biggest part of my life for such a long time. You will always have a place in my heart. Going to miss you more than people will ever know,” he concluded.
The couple announced their separation in April 2023 after five and a half years together, issuing a joint statement ensuring they remained friends but had “grown apart”.
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Ludford a further goodbye message later along with more photos of the pair in happier times.
“My heart is literally shattered, I feel so out of place I feel lost, I feel numb. Fly high angel and keep shining,” he wrote.