James Lee Williams, who performed as the drag queen and won the first series of the BBC show, was found dead at their home in Cheshire on January 5
Drag Race UK star the Vivienne died from a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine, the performers’ family and publicist has said.
James Lee Williams, who performed as the drag queen and won the first series of the BBC show, was found dead at their home in Cheshire on Sunday January 5. A host of celebrities and fans around the world paid tribute to the late star.
An inquest into the 32-year-old’s death was initially opened and adjourned at Cheshire Coroner’s Court in Warrington last month. Cheshire Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the performer’s death.
Simon Jones, Williams’ manager and close friend, said the family felt it was important to share the circumstances of their death in a statement posted on Instagram.
Jones told Attitude that the drag star had passed away ‘from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest’.
In a story on social media, he added: “James’s family and I feel that it is important to say how James tragically died. We hope that by us releasing this information, we can raise awareness about the dangers of ongoing ketamine usage and what it can do to your body.”
The family will also be working with Adferiad, a substance abuse and mental health support charity to raise awareness of the dangers of the drug.
Coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar previously said Williams was found dead in the bathroom at their home address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester.
Williams, who grew up in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, before moving to Liverpool, won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and came third in the 2023 edition of Dancing On Ice.
The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year.
Their funeral, held in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, last month, was attended by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi, Baga Chipz and Cheryl along with Steps singer Ian “H” Watkins, TV personality Kim Woodburn and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney.
