DANCING On Ice star Colin Grafton made a very sweet tribute to former partner The Vivienne.
James Lee Williams, known as The Vivienne when in drag and who won the first series of RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK, died earlier this year at the age of 32.
The Vivienne famously competed on the 2023 season of Dancing on Ice, and was partnered with Colin while on the show.
And now Colin’s very sweet tribute to his former partner has been revealed after their tragic death.
Last weekend, on Sunday, February 16, Colin and his 2025 dance partner Mollie Pearce performed a routine to Chappell Roan’s Hot To Go.
Sharing a snap of one of his outfits from the weekend, Colin later revealed the sweet meaning behind his outfit.
The outfit he donned was The Vivienne’s save me skate costume they wore on their series of the show, and it was brought out of the Dancing On Ice storage vault for Colin to wear at the weekend.
He said he felt calm, happy, and like The Vivienne was there in spirit rooting them on.
“Tonight was extra special, thank you all for voting,” he penned on Instagram.
Colin went on: “This was The Vivienne’s last costume on our season of Dancing On Ice, and it felt so special to wear it tonight, she was with me.”
He added: “I couldn’t be more prouder of Mollie Pearce.”
An inquest heard earlier this month how a post mortem identified an “unnatural” cause of death after The Vivienne’s passing.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=” RuPaul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne found dead in bathroom after ‘unnatural’ death aged just 32, inquest told” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368699335112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]They also revealed that further tests are needed.
Cheshire Coroner’s Court was told Williams was identified by their father, Lee Williams.
Area coroner Victoria Davies said: “Given the unnatural cause of death identified on post-mortem testing it is appropriate for me to formally open the inquest into the death of James Lee Williams.”
She added that further investigations are required.
[boxout headline=”Dancing On Ice 2025 pairings” intro=”Here’s the 12 celebs lined up to take part in 2025 – along with their professional partner.”]Michaela Strachan and Mark Hanretty
Anton Ferdinand and Annette Dytrt
Here’s who has left the show so far:
Mollie Pearce and Colin Grafton – couple were sixth to be booted off
Charlie Brooks and Eric Radford – EastEnders star loses out in the skate-off
Chris Taylor and Robin Johnstone – after Robin replaced injured pro Vanessa Bauer, the couple were the first to be eliminated after the return of the skate-off
Sir Steve Redgrave and Vicky Ogden – third to be voted off
Ferne McCann and Brendyn Hatfield – second pairing to be voted off
Josh Jones and Tippy Packard – quits show after injury during rehearsals
Chelsee Healey and Andy Buchanan – first to be eliminated
Sarah Storey revealed she had quit on December 6, 2024. The Paralympian was partnered with Sylvain Longchambon.
The inquest was adjourned ahead of a full hearing scheduled for June 30.
Cheshire Police previously confirmed Williams’ death was not being treated as suspicious.
The tragedy was announced by publicist Simon Jones, who paid tribute to the “incredibly loved, warm-hearted and amazing person”.
He added that Williams would be remembered for their “immense talent” and “the light they brought to every room was astonishing”.
