This past Sunday (January 5), it was confirmed by their publicist, Simon Jones, that The Vivienne had died over the weekend.
Jones expressed on Instagram: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
“Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother, and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.
“We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”
Jones highlighted that Williams would be celebrated for their ‘immense talent’ and the ‘astonishing light they brought to every room’.
A wave of tributes has flooded in online from fans and friends, including one from Ariana Grande.
Drag Race judge Michelle Visage described the news as ‘heartbreaking’, while Bimini Bon Boulash, a fellow Drag Race UK star, shared on social media: “I’m so sorry I’m in total shock.”
Now, their ex-husband, David Ludford, has also issued a statement.
“My heart literally sank when I got the call. Never in a million years did I ever think I’d ever be writing anything like this about James Lee Williams,” he remarked. “This man changed my life so much from the day we first met in August 2017 in Gran Canaria! We literally clicked straight away and we knew we were going to be together for a long time!
“He made me feel loved and showed me what it was really like to love someone. 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!”
He added: “I feel like a tit feeling this upset and hurt because we have been fully divorced for just over a year now but we were together for six years, and we loved each other so much, and you can’t take that away.
“I’m so happy to say I not only met you but we were together, we were husbands, and you were the biggest part of my life for such a long time. Six years is such a long time to spend 24/7 with.
“You will always have a place in my heart. Going to miss you more than people will ever know. Sleep tight angel.”
The couple married at Heaven, a prominent gay nightclub in London, in December 2019. However, by 2023, The Vivienne announced their separation, citing that they had ‘grown apart’.
In an Instagram post (via The Mirror), they shared: “We wish each other the absolute best and will always be part of each other’s lives.”
On Monday (January 6), Cheshire Police issued a statement noting they were called to a location near Chester, UK, on Sunday concerning the death of a 32-year-old man. They have stated there were ‘no suspicious circumstances’.