Dancing On Ice viewers have expressed ‘disgust’ after the show’s tribute to late contestant The Vivienne.
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star’s death was announced on January 5, with police later confirming they investigated the circumstances and concluded nothing was suspicious.
Known professionally as The Vivienne due to their love of Vivienne Westwood clothing, the performer’s real name was James Lee Williams. They were just 32 years old.
Williams took part in Dancing On Ice in 2023 and finished as a runner-up with professional skater Colin Grafton, making history as the first-ever drag queen to sign up for the programme.
As the ITV reality show returned to screens tonight, presenters Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern opened with some kind words in memory of Williams.
After praising the pros for their ‘incredible’ opening routine, Holly added: ‘Before we move on, like us, many of you will have been saddened by the tragic news of The Vivienne’s passing last weekend.
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‘Now, they were a huge part of our show, making it all the way to the final in 2023.
‘They’ll be very sorely missed, and our thoughts are with The Vivienne’s loved ones at this time. So sad.’
Holly and Stephen then moved on to introducing Coronation Street actor Sam Aston as the first performer of the night.
Meanwhile, viewers took to X to slam the brief tribute, claiming bosses should’ve done more for Williams.
‘THATS IT!? … Not even a black a white image? Appalling’, raged TeamRocketTom.
‘Was that seriously the tribute for The Vivienne they were talking about?? Hoping there’s something else later on in the show because that’s the only reason why I tuned in icl’, wrote moonies_XP.
User star_boi also vented: ‘That tribute from #DoI #DancingOnIce for #TheVivienne was absolutely disgusting. No VT, no picture on the big screen… the opening dance could’ve been a dedication. Seemed like no feeling or care at all in that.’
‘Is that it for a tribute to The Vivienne a few words why can’t we at least see some dances etc’, added blue_laur11, later admitting it ‘angered’ them.
Elsewhere, andrewmcb blasted the tribute as an ‘insult’ to The Vivienne.
Sweetwoo echoed: ‘I thought that they might of said/done a little more when it came too paying homage too The Vivienne, showing previous clips and, or a dance routine in memory of perhaps.’
Instead, tonight’s show started with a display of lifts and jumps by the lineup of professional figure skaters, dressed in pink, blue, and yellow.
They welcomed the celebrity contestants onto the ice, including reality star Ferne McCann, retired Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey, The Traitors’ Mollie Pearce, and former footballer Anton Ferdinand.
At the end of the show, however, an image of Williams was displayed as a tribute card during the credits.
Following Williams’ death, insiders prepared viewers for a tribute to the ‘trailblazer’ on Dancing On Ice.
A source told The Sun: ‘ITV wants to pay their respects to them and will put out a tribute on Sunday night’s show.
‘The team working on the show loved Viv and wanted to do something to honour them.’
Colin, their professional partner, also expressed his sorrow as the American athlete penned a devastating tribute, writing on social media: ‘It is with an extraordinarily heavy heart that I say goodbye to my beautiful friend and skating partner, The Vivienne.
‘Viv was and is a true icon in every sense of the word, and inspired thousands of people far and wide with everything they did and accomplished.’
He added that Williams ‘brought light into every room they entered’ and ‘gave so many people hope where there was none.’
‘I promise to carry your memory with me in everything I do. You taught me so much about so many things, and I am eternally grateful. Your legacy lives on.’
Dancing On Ice airs Sundays on ITV1 and ITVX.
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