Lorraine Kelly welcomed Chanel Williams for her first TV interview since the heartbreaking loss of her brother, The Vivienne.
The Drag Race UK 2019 winner passed away in January aged 32, with their manager and friend Simon Jones confirming that they died "from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest".
Two months on from their passing, Chanel bravely opened up about how her brother kept their struggle a secret before his tragic death in a new interview on Lorraine to raise awareness about the dangers of ketamine.
Speaking courageously about the devastating impact of their sudden passing, she told host Lorraine Kelly on Monday: “It’s completely devastated us all, it was so unexpected and he loved life.
“Now, reflecting on everything, we’re thinking about what we can take from this and what we can do.
“As a family, we are really passionate about turning this into something positive—raising awareness about ketamine and the dangers associated with it. If we can help even one person, that will be part of his legacy.”
The Vivienne had previously spoken openly about struggles with addiction, but Chanel shared that their family was unaware she was no longer sober.
She told Kelly: “James was open about his struggles and had long periods of sobriety, so for us as a family, we didn’t realise the battle he was facing toward the end of his life.”
Chanel later paid tribute to her brother as “an iconic trailblazer”, adding: “We remember that and I feel like this now is also James's legacy as well.
“I know that he would want this. He struggled and he was open about that, I know that he would want this fight.
“This is beyond the most devastating time. For me to see my parents struggle as they are, we've just got to channel that into hoping that other families don't feel like this.”
The conversation then turned to the classification of ketamine, with Lorraine noting: “I know, Chanel, this is something you feel strongly about. We need this drug to be reclassified, don’t we? Right now, it’s not a Class A drug.”
Chanel agreed, adding: “The current classification doesn’t align with the risks. I worry that because it’s not a Class A drug, the younger generation sees it as less harmful.”
Cheryl Williams, the manager of a drug rehabilitation centre, revealed that ketamine is “more accessible than alcohol” and can be easily obtained through various social media platforms.
The Vivienne's family is working with substance abuse charity Adferiad to raise awareness of the dangers of the drug and have joined a campaign to reclassify ketamine as a Class A drug.
Chanel, who is meeting with government ministers on Monday, added: “I really want to push, it’s top of my list to get the drug reclassified and raise awareness.
“I just had a conversation with Tracey who’s the mother of Sophie Russell, who’s a mother, heart breaking, who is going through the same thing.
“This is for James, it’s for Sophie and it’s for everybody that’s currently affected or has been affected by Ketamine. We are going to keep in contact and really campaign for a change.”
The drag artist, whose real name was James Lee Williams, was discovered dead in the bathroom of their home in Chorlton-by-Backford, near Chester, on 5 January 2025.
A number of celebrities paid tribute to the late star online following their death, including Ariana Grande and Michelle Visage.
Meanwhile, singer Jade Thirlwall and Ian "H" Watkins from Steps, as well as several fellow drag queens, attended the funeral alongside family and friends in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, at the end of January.
It was announced earlier this month that The Vivienne's “life and legacy” is to be honoured in new documentary
Titled Dear Viv, the documentary will be produced by World of Wonder, the media company behind the popular Drag Race franchise.
If you have been affected by any of the topics raised in this article Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction. Email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600.
