The Vivienne was hit with a barrage of homophobic abuse after they appeared on Blankety Blank over Christmas.
The drag artist, whose real name was James Lee Williams, passed away over the weekend, aged just 32. Their cause of death has not yet been announced.
Just days before their tragic passing, The Vivienne made their final TV appearance in the Christmas special of the BBC’s Blankety Blank reboot, hosted by Bradley Walsh, which aired on Boxing Day.
In the pre-recorded episode, The Vivienne joined joined Jonathan Ross, Oti Mabuse, Jane McDonald, Joel Dommett and Sara Pascoe.
In the wake of The Vivienne’s death, Britain’s Got Talent act Myra DuBois – Gareth Joyner – hit out at trolls who had ‘bombarded’ The Vivienne with taunts following their TV cameo.
Myra, who was a 2020 semi-finalist on BGT, wrote on Instagram: ‘I don’t know how The Vivienne left us, and I will be respecting the family request for privacy by not trying to find out, or by fuelling rumours.
The Vivienne was hit with a barrage of homophobic abuse after they appeared on Blankety Blank over Christmas
In the wake of The Vivienne’s death, Britain’s Got Talent act Myra DuBois – Gareth Joyner – hit out at trolls who had ‘bombarded’ The Vivienne with taunts following their TV cameo
‘I do know that after appearing on Blankety Blank over Christmas they were bombarded with a slew of homophobic abuse.
‘I also know that the comments sections on posts announcing their passing are filling up with comments like “one less” and “rest in hell”.
‘I need you to know this. I want you to acknowledge this. To me, to your colleagues, to your family. I want you to acknowledge it when there are no LGBTQ+ people in the room with you.
‘You can’t just post how sad you are when LGBTQ+ people die. I want you to ask if you’re doing everything you can to keep all LGBTQ+ people alive.’
Myra went on to ask her followers if they ‘challenge transphobia when they encounter it’.
The television personality added: ‘Do you make an effort to use pronouns that might not immediately make sense to you?
‘Do you post comments of love so they drown out comments of hate?
‘Do you oppose political parties who openly discriminate LBGTQ+ people even if they align with your beliefs elsewhere?
Myra, who was a 2020 semi-finalist on BGT, wrote: ‘I do know that after appearing on Blankety Blank over Christmas they were bombarded with a slew of homophobic abuse’
‘I don’t care how you answer, it’s between you and yourself. But in the last few years I have buried so many friends, all of them LGBTQ+, all of them taken too soon.
‘And it is NOT because of the ‘lifestyle choice’. It’s the burden of shame. Society murders queers, and I am so, so angry.’
News of the talented drag artist’s death was announced across social media on Sunday.
Tributes poured in for the star, who was born in Wales, including from their ex-husband David Lufton, as well as Drag Race judge Michelle Visage and co-star Tia Kofi as they shared their heartbreak at their passing.
Confirming the news on Instagram, The Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones wrote: ‘It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.
News of the talented drag artist’s death was announced across social media on Sunday
James Lee Williams seen at the press night of The Wizard of Oz in 2023
‘James was an incredibly loved, warmhearted and amazing person. 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 will not be releasing any further details.
‘We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.’
He continued: ‘These are words I never ever wanted to write. Viv was a close friend, a client and someone I loved very much.
‘From the moment I met them in 2019 I knew we could create magic together and I became their manager. Their talent was immense and the light they brought to every room was astonishing. No one has ever made me laugh as much in my life as Viv did. Their comic genius and quick wit was like no other.
‘I’m so proud and lucky that Viv was such a big part of my life everyday for the last five years. It’s tragic that their career was only just beginning. In musical theatre Viv had found a space and career they loved, excelled and thrived in.
‘I am heartbroken and devastated at this news. RIP my wonderful friend. You left us way too soon.’
The Vivienne received the name as they were known for wearing designer Vivienne Westwood and was later one of the ten contestants selected to compete on the first series of Drag Race when it travelled across the pond.
Following their win, The Vivienne went on to host an online chat show where celebrities joined her to chat about series’ of the show, before they ventured in musical theatre. Recently, the performer hosted a Christmas party show on BBC Radio Wales.
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