Honouring a Queen: Inside the BBC's 'Dear Viv' Tribute to The Vivienne

The iconic drag queen known as The Vivienne had tragically passed away at the age of 32.

Today the BBC will air a new documentary titled "Dear Viv," a heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of James Lee Williams, the iconic drag queen known as The Vivienne.

The documentary, produced by World of Wonder, the company behind the RuPaul's Drag Race franchise, will air today on BBC Three and be available on BBC iPlayer. The hour-long film celebrates The Vivienne's trailblazing journey, from their early life in North Wales and Liverpool to their historic win as the first-ever champion of RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

The film will also honour their wider contributions to entertainment, including being the first drag performer to compete on Dancing on Ice and their West End debut in The Wizard of Oz.

INTERVIEWS WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY

"Dear Viv" will feature a blend of intimate interviews with The Vivienne's family and friends, personal home videos, and unseen footage from their time on Drag Race. The documentary also sensitively addresses their struggle with ketamine addiction and the advocacy work of their sister, Chanel Williams, who is campaigning for greater awareness of the drug's dangers.

World of Wonder co-founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato have said they wanted the film to be a celebration of her life and talent, not just a mourning of her death. The documentary aims to honour The Vivienne's incredible talent, charisma, and kindness, hoping to inspire viewers as she inspired so many others.

You can watch the trailer here: Dear Viv | Official trailer - BBC