Ian ‘H’ Watkins and Jade Thirlwall among mourners arriving at The Vivienne’s funeral

On January 27, 2025By Littum

Jade Thirlwall and Ian 'H' Watkins arrive at The Vivienne's funeral — Mourning has arrived at The Vivienne’s Funeral (picture: Pa)

Grieving including Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins and former Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall has arrived at the funeral of Rupaul’s drag race UK winner The Vivienne.

Watkins, wearing a red scottish suit, walked toward the church with comedian Jayde Adams, who wore a bright green coat and trilby hat.

TV personality Kim Woodburn and X Factor singer Marcus Collins were also among the mourners who went into the church.

Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney also participated with radio host Pete Price, celebrity chef Jameson Stocks, actress Jennifer Ellison and JLS star Aston Merryold.

The service of the TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who died earlier this month at the age of 32, is held in a church in Denbighshire, North Wales.

A horse -drawn carriage arrived outside the church at The Vivienne’s funeral. The coffin inside was topped with a white flower arrangement. Flower shelf in a corpse sounds ‘Vivienne’ and ‘Son’. A third consisted of purple flowers in the form of a witch hat in honor of Vivienne’s role in the theater musical Wicked.

BGUK_3134344 - Bodelwyddan, the United Kingdom - the funeral of former Rupaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne held in St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan. Picture: Jade Thirlwall - Marcus Collins Backgrid UK 27. Pixelat face before publication* — Jade Thirlwall and Marcus Collins went into the funeral together (picture: Farrell / Backgrid)

Jayde Adams (left) and Steps star Ian 'H' Watkins (next to the left) arrive at The Vivienne's funeral in St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — Jayde Adams and Steps star Ian ‘H’ Watkins arrived at The Vivienne’s Funeral in St Margaret’s Church (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

Jameson Stocks arrives at The Vivienne's funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — Jameson Stocks Bar Green in honor of The Vivienne (Picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

Many wore green to the service, also as a nod to the lead role of Elphaba, and Vivienne Westwood brands were carried on the reverses of some of the men’s suits. Vivienne adopted their drag name as they were known for wearing the designer’s clothing.

Family members of the star, the real name James Lee Williams, followed the coffin into the church.

The Crown and the Sceptret The Vivienne won on Rupaul’s Drag Race UK was carried by their loved ones.

The Crown and the Sceptret The Vivienne won on Ru Paul's Drag Race UK are carried into the church in front of their coffin in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire for their funeral. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — The Crown and the Sceptret won on Rupaul’s Drag Race was brought into the church (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

The coffin for The Vivienne is carried into a church in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire for their funeral. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — The Vivienne’s coffin is carried into the church (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

Kim Woodburn arrives at The Vivienne's funeral in St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — Kim Woodburn bare completely black (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

BGUK_3134332 - Bodelwyddan, the United Kingdom - the funeral of former Rupaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne held in St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan. Pictured: Hayley Tamaddon - Danny Beard Backgrid UK 27. * — Hayley Tamaddon and Danny Beard arrived together (picture: Farrell / Backgrid)

BGUK_3134398 - Bodelwyddan, the United Kingdom - The funeral of former Rupaul's Drag Race star The Vivienne held in St Margaret's Church, Bodelwyddan Picture: Friends and Family Backgrid UK 27. +34 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com USA: +1 310 798 9111 / USSALES@BACKGRID.COM *Pictures containing children, please pixele face before release * — Drag Race UK stars including TiA Kofi, Veronica Green, Baga Chipz and Cheryl Hole attended the ceremony together (picture: Farrell / Backgrid)

Williams gained greater fame after winning the first series of Rupaul’s Drag Race UK. They competed in the seventh season of Rupaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022 and finished in third place at Dancing On Ice in 2023.

Rupaul’s Drag Race UK participants Tia Kofi, Baga Chipz and Cheryl arrived at The Vivienne’s funeral together.

The winner of the show’s fourth series Danny Beard wore a jacket and pants covered with Vivienne Westwood logos. He went to church with actress Hayley Tamaddon.

A horse -drawn carriage with The Vivienne's coffin arrives at a church in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire for their funeral. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — Flowers spelled ‘son’ and ‘vivienne’ (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

Flower shelf outside a church in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire prior to the funeral of The Vivienne. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — James was also spelled out in flowers (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

Aston Merrygold arrives at The Vivienne's funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire. The TV star, the real name James Lee Williams, who became famous after winning the first series of Rupaul's Drag Race UK, died at the age of 32 earlier this month. Image Date: Monday, January 27, 2025. Pa Photo. See Pa-History Funeral Vivienne. Image credit should read: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire — Aston Merrygold bare dark shades (picture: Danny Lawson/Pa Wire)

Cheshire Police said officers had been called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, at 12:22 pm Sunday 5th January.

It told a spokesman Metro: ‘Police participated, investigated the circumstances of the 32-year-old man’s death and concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances. A case will be prepared for the forensic medicine. ‘

Vivienne’s death was announced by their publicist Simon Jones.

File photo dated 17/09/19 by The Vivienne, participating in Rupaul Drag Race Premiere, Bloomsbury Ballroom, London. James Lee Williams, known as Drag artist The Vivienne, has died, PR chief Simon Jones said. He wrote on Instagram: — Vivienne won Rupaul’s Drag Race in 2019 (Image: Ian West/Pa Wire)

He wrote on Instagram: ‘It’s with tremendous grief that we tell you that our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne has gone this weekend.

‘James was an incredibly loved, warm -hearted and amazing person.

“Their family is crushed over the loss of their son, brother and uncle.

‘They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their lives and careers.

“We won’t release further details.”

The message concluded, ‘We please ask that James’ family will have the time and privacy they now need to treat and mourn.’

In addition to the Rupaul series, The Vivienne also starred in the BBC Three show The Vivienne Takes on Hollywood in 2020 and performed on Channel 4’s celebrity Hunted for Stand Up to Cancer in 2022.

Williams, who was born in Wales before moving to Liverpool. Earlier this month, hundreds gathered in the city for an emotional guard that celebrated their lives.

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