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

Drag Race stars have joined circle of relatives, pals and different celebrities to mention farewell to James Lee Williams, higher referred to as drag queen The Vivienne.

The funeral happened in north Wales on Monday, 3 weeks after the performer was once discovered lifeless elderly 32 at their house in Cheshire.

Well-known names a number of the mourners incorporated singers Jade Thirlwall from Little Combine and Ian “H” Watkins from Steps, drag queens Cheryl Hollow, Baga Chipz and Danny Beard, and TV personalities Kim Woodburn and Kerry Katona.

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

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

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

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

She added: “A phenomenal younger guy. A tragic loss. I am proud to be right here lately.”

Co-stars from The Vivienne’s musical theatre profession had been additionally provide, together with Aston Merrygold from boy band JLS, who seemed in a degree manufacturing of The Wizard Of Ozlast 12 months.

After the provider, the ones in attendance accumulated at the garden outdoor the church and white doves had been launched.

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

Monday’s funeral provider happened at St Margaret’s Church in Bodelwyddan, close to the place Williams grew up and went to college.

They moved to Liverpool as a young person and started appearing in native bars and golf equipment as The Vivienne – named after their love of Vivienne Westwood clothes – ahead of transferring to Gran Canaria as a performer at Glints Display Bar.

After successful the primary sequence of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Vivienne become the primary competitor from the United Kingdom sequence to look in america model of the display, competing in sequence seven of Drag Race All Stars.

Clear of RuPaul’s hit display, Williams additionally seemed on mainstream tv presentations together with Ant and Dec’s Saturday Evening Takeaway and Dancing on Ice, had a visitor look on Emmerdale, and maximum just lately competed on a Christmas particular of Blankety Clean.

After their demise, tributes had been paid via high-profile names together with Ariana Grande, Drag Race pass judgement on Michelle Visage and host and writer of the display RuPaul.

Masses additionally attended a public vigil in Liverpool, the place family and friends paid tribute thru track and speeches.

Public constructions within the town had been lit up inexperienced in honour of The Vivienne’s position as The Depraved Witch of the West in the United Kingdom and Eire excursion of The Wizard of Oz..

A guide of condolences was once opened at The Museum of Liverpool for individuals of the general public and has since been passed to the circle of relatives.

Police mentioned there have been no suspicious instances surrounding Williams’ demise.

In a while after their demise was once introduced, Liverpool-based organisation Sahir Space won an inflow of donations in reminiscence of The Vivienne, who was once a long-standing supporter of the charity and posted about it in a while ahead of their demise.