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BBC News
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Whole lot of love' from thousands at Stafford Pride
Thousands have taken to the streets in Staffordshire in rainbow colours to celebrate a Pride second Stafford Pride kicked off with a parade through the town centre at midday on Saturday, followed with a festival at Victoria "amazing" event celebrated the local LGBTQ+ community, organisers said, with crowds gathering to watch a headline performance from drag artist Baga director Jack Taylor-Walker said: "It just goes to show that there's a hell of a lot of love about." He said the festival, which was first held in 2024, was going from strength to strength, with this year's attendance up to about 8,000 year's event attracted about 7,500."We had an amazing crowd throughout the town for the parade and also in the park itself," Mr Taylor-Walker said. "This was a proper family event and it was well attended by families." Bunting and rainbow flags flying across the town showed support for Pride's mission of equality and tolerance, with the support of local organisations and the community meaningful, the event director added."It means that our community, the LGBTQ+ community, can be themselves and just celebrate the right that our predecessors before us have spent so long fighting for," he said. Stafford Pride is a community interest company, with funds raised by the event reinvested into next year's festival and the event going from strength to strength, plans for 2026 are already under way."We are back on for the 8 August next year and we'll be releasing details in the new year," Mr Taylor-Walker said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Dear Viv, a tribute to drag superstar, The Vivienne to air on BBC Three and iPlayer this August
In January this year, the Drag Race Universe was plunged into a state of mourning, as the news emerged that James Lee Williams, also known as The Vivienne, had tragically passed away at the age of 32. The Vivienne was crowned the UK's First Drag Super Star on the inaugural series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK in 2019, and it was from this victorious launchpad that Viv emerged as an entertainer who touched the lives of many around the world. With the support of Viv's family and closest friends, Dear Viv, made by World of Wonder (the producers of Drag Race), offers a celebratory deeply personal portrait of The Vivienne's remarkable journey from their roots in North Wales and Liverpool to the global stage. The film unfolds through a blend of interviews, family photos, home video, archive and unseen behind-the-scenes Drag Race footage. It charts The Vivienne's journey as a cheeky toddler who grew up to conquer the UK drag scene. She also triumphed as a finalist on Dancing on Ice, took on the US drag scene in the first ever all-winners season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, and fulfilled their dream of becoming a West End Star as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. Touching interviews with James' parents and sister introduce the viewer to a sparky young James destined for the stardom. Interviews with his best friends, early mentors, and Drag Race friends, including Baga Chipz, Michael Marouli, Danny Beard, Tia Kofi, Cheryl Hole, Raja, Monet X Change, and Trinity Tuck, pay tribute to their friend as 'a world class entertainer', 'an inspiration, mentor and a teacher', and the epitome of British drag. The film also sensitively touches on The Vivienne's self-confessed struggle with ketamine addiction. The Vivienne's sister, Chanel Williams, passionately campaigns and argues for better awareness around the dangers of ketamine - the drug that was ultimately responsible for her brother's untimely death. Producers Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato, co-founders of World of Wonder, said: 'We wanted to celebrate The Vivienne and not just mourn her. Although she left us far too soon her life was defined by her breathtaking talent, scene-stealing charisma, and infinite kindness. We hope her vision and her voice shine through in Dear Viv and that it inspires everyone who watches it. Although producing it was bittersweet, we are so grateful to friends and family for trusting us to tell The Vivienne's story. Above all, we hope Viv loves the film as much as we loved her.' Nasfim Haque, Head of Content for BBC Three: 'Dear Viv is a fitting tribute to The Vivienne who truly was a trailblazer in the world of drag. She showcased her artistry and talent brilliantly and paved the way for many to follow in her footsteps.' Dear Viv (1 x 60) is World of Wonder production for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer commissioned by Nasfim Haque, Head of Content and Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producers for World of Wonder are Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato and the BBC Commissioning Editor is Ruby Kuraishe. Watch Dear Viv from Thursday 28 August on BBC Three and iPlayer NH Follow for more
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sherborne Pride celebrations take over town for second year
A Pride parade and celebrations have returned to a historic town for a second year following the "overwhelming success" of its inaugural of Sherborne Pride said last year's celebrations of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in the Dorset town attracted more than 3,000 free event returned on Sunday with the campaign message "Love STILL lives here".Organisers said it celebrated "acceptance, inclusivity, and rural community pride in a time when it's never been more needed". A programme of performances included Baga Chipz from RuPaul's Drag and Geri Halliwell impersonator Just May Does, who also hosted the event. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Inquest to examine death of RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne
The inquest into the death of The Vivienne, the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is set to take place. James Lee Williams, 32, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the drag queen had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inquest to examine death of RuPaul's Drag Race UK star The Vivienne
The inquest into the death of The Vivienne, the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is set to take place. James Lee Williams, 32, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the drag queen had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
