The Vivienne death: RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner dies suddenly aged 32

Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career.” The Vivienne, who was born in Wales and based in Liverpool, rose to prominence after competing in and eventually winning the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, having previously been appointed as the UK Drag Ambassador to the US show four years earlier. open image in gallery The Vivienne at the premiere of series one of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK In 2024, they starred as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard of Oz musical, calling it “the most iconic story ever told”. open image in gallery The Vivienne attends RuPaul's DragCon UK 2020 at Olympia London Jones’s statement concluded: “We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.” In a separate post, he said these were words he “never wanted to write”, adding: “No one has ever made me laugh in my life as much as Viv did. RIP my wonderful friend, You left us way too soon.” open image in gallery The Vivienne attends RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7 Premiere screening in New York, 2022 Following the news, tributes immediately began pouring in from hundreds of The Vivienne’s friends and supporters.