Stars, doves and Drag Race crown at The Vivienne’s funeral

Drag Race stars have joined household, buddies and different celebrities to say farewell to James Lee Williams, higher often called drag queen The Vivienne.

The funeral befell in north Wales on Monday, three weeks after the performer was discovered lifeless aged 32 at their house in Cheshire.

Well-known names among the many mourners included singers Jade Thirlwall from Little Combine and Ian “H” Watkins from Steps, drag queens Cheryl Gap, Baga Chipz and Danny Beard, and TV personalities Kim Woodburn and Kerry Katona.

The coffin arrived in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by black horses with inexperienced plumes. Floral tributes spelled “Vivienne”, “James” and “Son”, and the crown and sceptre awarded to RuPaul’s Drag Race winners have been carried into the church forward of the coffin.

Others on the service in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, included former Drag Race contestants Veronica Inexperienced and Tia Kofi, and actresses Claire Sweeney and Jennifer Ellison.

The Vivienne received the primary collection of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, impressing the judges and viewers with impressions of Donald Trump, Margret Thatcher and Woodburn.

Talking after the funeral, Woodburn mentioned The Vivienne’s impersonation “simply appeared to have me off to a tea”.

She added: “A stunning younger man. A tragic loss. I am proud to be right here at this time.”

Co-stars from The Vivienne’s musical theatre profession have been additionally current, together with Aston Merrygold from boy band JLS, who appeared in a stage manufacturing of The Wizard Of Ozlast yr.

After the service, these in attendance gathered on the garden outdoors the church and white doves have been launched.

Monday’s funeral service befell at St Margaret’s Church in Bodelwyddan, close to the place Williams grew up and went to high school.

They moved to Liverpool as a youngster and commenced performing in native bars and golf equipment as The Vivienne – named after their love of Vivienne Westwood clothes – earlier than transferring to Gran Canaria as a performer at Sparkles Present Bar.

After profitable the primary collection of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne turned the primary competitor from the UK collection to look within the US model of the present, competing in collection seven of Drag Race All Stars.

Away from RuPaul’s hit present, Williams additionally appeared on mainstream tv reveals together with Ant and Dec’s Saturday Evening Takeaway and Dancing on Ice, had a visitor look on Emmerdale, and most just lately competed on a Christmas particular of Blankety Clean.

In early January, the information of Williams’ passing sparked an outpouring of grief from the LGBTQ+ group and past.

Tributes have been paid by high-profile names together with Ariana Grande, Drag Race choose Michelle Visage and host and creator of the present RuPaul.

A whole bunch additionally attended a public vigil in Liverpool, the place family and friends paid tribute via music and speeches.

Public buildings within the metropolis have been lit up inexperienced in honour of The Vivienne’s function as The Depraved Witch of the West within the UK and Eire tour of The Wizard of Oz.

A ebook of condolences was opened at The Museum of Liverpool for members of the general public and has since been handed to the household.

Police mentioned there have been no suspicious circumstances surrounding Williams’ dying.

Shortly after their dying was introduced, Liverpool-based organisation Sahir Home obtained an inflow of donations in reminiscence of The Vivienne, who was a long-standing supporter of the charity and posted about it shortly earlier than their dying.