Hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool to celebrate The Vivienne at a vigil tonight, and a spontaneous moment during the ceremony was particularly special for the attendees. The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner, real name James Lee Williams, died on Sunday January 5 aged 32. Now, a week later, fans, family and friends alike paid tribute to the star at an event held on the steps of St George’s Hall. As well as moving speeches, beautiful musical performances, there was also one point that saw the well-wishers spontaneously release balloons into the sky.
![[People attend a vigil for British reality show RuPaul's Drag Race UK's winner James Lee Williams, popularly known as The Vivienne, in Liverpool, Britain, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235778064-fb47.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Former Emmerdale actor Liam Fox, who starred alongside Williams in theatre show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, was there to pay his respects, alongside his actress wife Joanna Fox. Williams had a brief cameo on the ITV soap in 2021, but did not cross paths with Liam, who played Dan Spencer, until years later when they were picked for the same musical cast.
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock (12981147os) Liam Fox British Soap Awards, Arrivals, Hackney Empire, London, UK - 11 Jun 2022]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235781621-3f28.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Speaking of the emotional event, Liam, 54, told Metro: ‘It was so beautiful. She was so loved by all who knew her which makes it all the more tragic to have lost her so young when there was so much more ahead for her. ‘I loved all the speakers, I loved all the stories from when she was starting out on the drag scene. There was laughter and tears.
![[People react during a vigil for British reality show RuPaul's Drag Race UK's winner James Lee Williams, popularly known as The Vivienne, in Liverpool, Britain, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235777883-a96e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘The balloon release, which happened organically during the song For Good, was particularly beautiful,’ he stated. The famous song features in Wicked – Williams played the role of Wicked Witch in the West End musical. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video.
![[People hold balloons during a vigil for British reality show RuPaul's Drag Race UK's winner James Lee Williams, popularly known as The Vivienne, in Liverpool, Britain, January 12, 2025. REUTERS/Temilade Adelaja]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235779846-0065.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
