It’s been confirmed The Vivienne will make an appearance in an ITV comedy series when it returns to screens next month.
Earlier this month James Lee Williams, known professionally as The Vivienne, died aged 32.
The performer first rose to fame winning the first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019, returning for the seventh season of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars in 2022.
In 2023 they also became the first drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice, finishing in third place.
Throughout their career they also appeared in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, Emmerdale, and This is Going to Hurt.
Now ITV have revealed The Vivienne will be seen in the upcoming second season of comedy G’wed.
The series follows teenagers from Liverpool as they go about their lives, with the first season hitting screens a year ago.
It became the biggest comedy on ITVX in 2024 with its six episodes streamed 7.2 million times and on linear TV, it launched with 2.1 million viewers.
The premiere episode of season 2 will see The Vivienne play a Liverpool nightclub owner who ‘spots Ted’s comedic potential and offers him a spot comparing their drag night’.
Filmed last summer, ITV has said the episode will be dedicated to The Vivienne and will air ‘with the blessing of the family honouring their special talent’.
‘All the cast and crew were so saddened by the passing of The Vivienne and the first episode will now be dedicated to them,’ executive producer Mario Stylianides said.
‘The Vivienne was a trailblazing icon and we were truly honoured when we found out they were a fan of G’wed and equally excited when they agreed to appear in the first episode of the new series. They will always be in our hearts and forever part of the G’wed family.’
Fans of the series have been told the second season will ‘continue to tackle life’s big themes with a funny lens whilst keeping Liverpool’s distinctive voice and spirit at its heart’.
‘Expect more sharp wit as our Scouse gang navigate new challenges, from age gap relationships and consent to acceptable ways to make money while still in school,’ the broadcaster added.
Over the weekend, hundreds of people gathered in Liverpool to celebrate The Vivienne at a vigil, which included speeches, musical performances and a poignant moment when attendees spontaneously released balloons into the sky.
Former Emmerdale actor Liam Fox, who starred alongside Williams in theatre show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang paid his respect at the event and 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.’
G’wed returns to ITVX and ITV2 on February 6.
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