'Her legacy will live on': Ex-husband of RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne remembers star following sudden death as tributes pour

The Vivienne's ex-husband David Paul Ludford has shared a touching tribute following the sudden death of the Ru Paul's Drag Race UK winner.

James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, recently passed away at the age of 32. Their death was confirmed in a statement by their publicist Simon Jones.

Taking to Instagram to reflect on their six-year relationship, Ludford wrote: "My heart literally sank when I got the call!! 🪽💔😔My heart is shattered!!! 😭😭

"Never in a million years did I think I'd ever be writing anything like this about @thevivienne_."

Ludford continued to reflect on how Williams had "changed [his] life" from the first time they met back in August 2017.

"He made me feel love and showed me what it was really like to love someone."

Ludford described his relationship with Williams as a "whirlwind" but continued that he "wouldn't have changed the time we spend together for anything in the world".

READ MORE: RuPaul's Drag Race winner The Vivienne dies aged 32

He went on to say that despite being divorced from Williams for over a year he was still deeply "upset and hurt" over Williams' passing.

"Going to miss you more than people will ever know sleep tight angel 🫶🏻🙏🏼🪽," Ludford's post concluded.

His tribute to Williams included a collection of photos from their wedding day and a later post was a video of their first dance set to 'Always Remember Us This Way' by Lady Gaga.

The pair announced their split in a joint statement in April 2023.

Ludford's post was one of many heartfelt tributes to the star. The Vivienne's passing came as a shock to the drag community, with many writing on social media to pay their respects to the Season 1 UK Winner.

RuPaul shared a sweet throwback photo with The Vivienne.

"With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne—an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being," RuPaul penned.

Drag Race judge Michelle Visage described Williams as "a beacon to so many".

"My darling @thevivienne_ we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point. Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all," Visage wrote.

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The official RuPaul's Drag Race account on X shared that the show's production team were "deeply saddened" over The Vivienne's death.

"Her talent, humor, and dedication to the art of drag was an inspiration. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will live on as a beacon of creativity and authenticity – she embodied what it means to be a true champion."

Williams – who used they/them pronouns – first shot to fame in 2015 as the UK Drag Ambassador for the American series of RuPaul's Drag Race.

The performer was given their name The Vivienne because they were known for wearing Vivienne Westwood clothing.

They went on to compete in and win the first UK series of the reality show. Williams then competed again in the All Stars series in 2022.

Williams was also starting their career in musical theatre, starring as The Wicked Witch of the West in 2011's The Wizard of Oz, a role they later reprised in London's West End.

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