Home Entertainment The Vivienne’s grieving ex-husband David Ludford puts on a brace face as he’s seen for the first time since the Drag Race star’s shock death that left his ‘heart broken’

The Vivienne’s grieving ex-husband David Ludford puts on a brace face as he’s seen for the first time since the Drag Race star’s shock death that left his ‘heart broken’

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Vivienne's ex-husband David Ludford, 34, put on a brave face when he was seen for the first time since the Drag Race UK star's shocking death aged 32 earlier this month.

Vivienne’s ex-husband David Ludford put on a brave face as he was seen for the first time since the Drag Race UK star’s shocking death aged 32 earlier this month.

David, 34, was married to the artist from 2019 until 2023 and paid tribute following the devastating news that emerged in Manchester on Saturday night.

She cut a chic figure in a sheer DIOR T-shirt and black pants which she paired with chunky boots and silver jewelry.

David took part in his first public outing to the city’s BLVD Bar alongside his friend and MAFS UK star Holly Ditchfield.

David and his ex The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, shared a love of drag, as he owns a company that makes and sells wigs for drag queens, called Drag Helmet.

The performer rose to fame on the first series of the UK version of Ru Paul’s Drag Race in 2019 and made numerous television appearances in the following years, including competing on Dancing On Ice.

Vivienne’s ex-husband David Ludford, 34, put on a brave face when he was seen for the first time since the Drag Race UK star’s shocking death aged 32 earlier this month.

David (right) was married to the artist (left) from 2019 until 2023 and paid tribute to him following the devastating news that broke in Manchester on Saturday night.

David (R) was married to the artist (L) from 2019 until 2023, and paid tribute following the devastating news, stepping out in Manchester on Saturday night.

But just weeks after placing third in the skating program in 2023, Vivienne went through a major change in her life when she separated from her husband David.

The couple began their romance in 2017 before getting married in 2019 in a lavish flower-filled ceremony at GAY’s Heaven nightclub in London, and were the first couple to marry there after being granted permission to hold weddings that same year.

But after almost six years together, the couple went their separate ways in 2023 when they said “life got in the way” of their relationship.

Following the tragic news of Vivienne’s death, David shared a photo of the former couple together on Instagram and wrote: ‘My heart literally sank when I got the call! My heart is broken! Never in a million years did I think I would ever write something like this about ‘.

‘This man changed my life so much from the day we met in August 2017 in Gran Canaria!!’

‘We literally clicked immediately and knew we were going to be together for a long time! He made me feel love and showed me what it was really like to love someone.

‘We literally spent and did so many things together it was like a whirlwind and I wouldn’t have traded the time we spent together for anything in the world!’

‘I feel like an idiot feeling this upset and hurt because we’ve been completely divorced for just over a year, but we were together for 6 years and we loved each other so much that you can’t take that away.

David took part in his first public outing to the city's BLVD Bar alongside his friend and MAFS UK star Holly Ditchfield.

David took part in his first public outing to the city’s BLVD Bar alongside his friend and MAFS UK star Holly Ditchfield.

The couple began their romance in 2017 before tying the knot in 2019 in a lavish, flower-filled ceremony at GAY's Heaven nightclub in London.

The couple began their romance in 2017 before tying the knot in 2019 in a lavish, flower-filled ceremony at GAY’s Heaven nightclub in London.

But after almost six years together, the couple went their separate ways in 2023 when they said that

But after almost six years together, the couple went their separate ways in 2023 when they said “life got in the way” of their relationship.

And the news of Vivienne's passing 'sank David's heart' as he issued an emotional tribute on Instagram on Sunday.

And the news of Vivienne’s passing ‘sank David’s heart’ as he issued an emotional tribute on Instagram on Sunday.

‘I’m so happy to say that not only did I meet you but we were together, we were husbands and you were the biggest part of my left for so long!’ 6 years is a long time to spend 24/7 with you, you will always have a place in my heart.

“I’m going to miss you more than people will ever know, sleep tight angel.”

News of the talented drag performer’s death was announced via social media, with tributes to the star. A cause has not yet been established.

Confirming the news on Instagram, The Vivienne’s publicist Simon Jones wrote: “It is with immense sadness that we inform you that our beloved James Lee Williams, The Vivienne, passed away this weekend.

‘James was an incredibly loved, caring and amazing person. His family is heartbroken over the loss of their son, brother and uncle.

‘They are very proud of the wonderful things James achieved in his life and career. We will not publish more details.

“We ask that James’ family be given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”

He continued: ‘These are words I never 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 each room was amazing. No one has made me laugh as much in my life as Viv did. Her comedic genius and quick wit were like no other.

‘I am so proud and lucky that Viv has been such an important part of my life every day for the past five years. It’s tragic that his career is just beginning. In musical theater, Viv had found a space and career that they loved, excelled at, and thrived on.

“I am heartbroken and devastated by this news. RIP my wonderful friend. You left us too soon.

Last week, Baga Chipz called for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK to be scrapped and replaced with ‘reruns of The Vivienne’ to honor the late star.

The drag queen, 35, starred in the first series of the BBC reality competition alongside The Vivienne in 2019, and said she believes the best way to pay tribute to the winner of series one is to simply air clips of them on the future.

Last week, Baga Chipz (left) called for RuPaul's Drag Race UK to be scrapped and replaced with 'reruns of The Vivienne' (right) to honor the late star (pictured in 2022).

Last week, Baga Chipz (left) called for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK to be scrapped and replaced with ‘reruns of The Vivienne’ (right) to honor the late star (pictured in 2022).

She said she believes the best way to pay tribute to the series one winner is to simply air clips of them in the future (pictured in 2020).

She said she believes the best way to pay tribute to the series one winner is to simply air clips of them in the future (pictured in 2020).

Speaking to BANG Showbiz at RuPaul’s DragCon UK at ExCel London, Baga said: “I think we should no longer have drag queens on Drag Race (UK) and only have reruns of The Vivienne.”

‘That would be much better. We should be careful with that.’

The Ackley Bridge star, whose real name is Leo Loren, developed a close bond with The Vivienne, and they will always be his favourites, calling them “so fabulous”.

‘Some people have the looks or the charisma and all that and the talent. I would say I’m quite charismatic, quite comedic and all that, and I have that side, but she had it all.

“She, because she was tall and statuesque and looked so beautiful, people would say, ‘Oh, she’s a little intimidating,’ but then she would open her mouth and do anything for anyone.

‘On Drag Race we always sat next to each other and did our makeup, and we always smoked together. You meet people in life and you just fit in.

“I was very lucky in my season because we all got along, but Viv and I were a little more. You have your favorites, right?”

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