Ice Dancing Competition Contestant Colin Grafton Reveals Near-Resignation from Final Series due to Grieving over Late Celebrity Partner and Close Friend The Vivienne, Despite Extensive Preparation with New Partner Mollie Pearce
** tales of the rink: Dancing on Ice's** Colin Grafton confessed to pondering quitting the last series due to the heart-wrenching loss of partner and friend, the inimitable The Vivienne, who succumbed to a ketamine-induced cardiac arrest mere days before the show's launch.
The Vivienne, born James Lee Williams, was a trailblazing drag queen and Drag Race UK alum, known for their wicked humor, captivating performances, and fiercely celebrated flamboyance. Their partnership with Colin on Dancing on Ice marked history, as they became the first drag queen duo to appear on the show, reaching the final in the 2023 season, before being edged out by eventual champion, Olympian Nile Wilson.
However, the joy they brought to the rink was short-lived, as The Vivienne's life was tragically cut short. In January 2025, their spirit left the world, their heart failing them due to ketamine complications. The dark reality was at stark odds with the fabulous persona they portrayed, having spent years maintaining sobriety after battling drug demons.
The news took a deep toll on Colin, who confessed to facing a severe internal struggle about returning to the rink. With his heart heavy, he went on to train with new partner and The Traitors star Mollie Pearce, despite the uncertainty that swirled within him. Despite the tumultuous circumstances, Colin and Mollie managed to persevere, committing themselves to the ice and channeling their collective grief into determination.
In a candid interview with The Mirror, Colin shared that it was the unwavering support of Mollie, fellow professionals, and the wider community that helped him find the strength to carry on. He vividly recalled the memory of The Vivienne as a radiant force in their lives, who would have wanted him to continue their shared mission to showcase their hard work and resilience.
The Vivienne had garnered fame in their hometown of Liverpool through their appearances on RuPaul's Drag Race, where they revealed their struggle with four years of drug addiction in a 2019 episode. Theirs was a testament to courage in the face of adversity, but sadder still that it would take The Vivienne's untimely passing for their family to learn of their continued struggle with addiction.
Chanel, The Vivienne's sister, voiced her heartache in the reality of the situation and questioned whether there was a chance she could have intervened and saved her brother. "If I had understood the signs or asked the right questions, would things have turned out differently?" she posed to the BBC, her eyes reflecting the weight of unanswered questions.
In an effort to keep The Vivienne's legacy alive and raise awareness around the dangers of ketamine, Chanel has taken up the fight to get the drug reclassified as a Class A substance and is lobbying for a change in the stigma around addiction. As she embarks on this mission, she hopes to create a world where people feel more comfortable seeking help.
A HARMFUL HIGH: Ketamine has become a popular party drug, known for its powerful dissociative effects. Users often refer to it as a spiritual experience, one that can lead to feelings of euphoria, but at the cost of significant health risks.
While ketamine has legitimate uses as a medical anesthetic, its illegal use is associated with numerous side effects, both physical and mental. Some of the most common physical side effects include dizziness, nausea, increased heart rate, and respiratory issues. On the mental front, ketamine use can impair cognitive functions and lead to mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
Addiction and dependence are serious risks associated with ketamine use, potentially making it difficult for users to quit and increasing the risk of relapse. Chronic use of the drug can also lead to severe bladder problems, potentially requiring surgical intervention, and in some cases, impact the kidneys.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, resources like SAMHSA’s National Helpline can provide free, confidential support and referrals for treatment.
- Colin Grafton, while training for the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice, confessed to consideringquitting due to the loss of his partner and friend, the extraordinary and inspiring The Vivienne.
- Known for their wicked humor, captivating performances, and flamboyance, The Vivienne was a pioneering drag queen and Drag Race UK alum who sadly passed away due to ketamine-induced seizures in January 2025.
- Despite the heart-wrenching loss, Colin teamed up with Mollie Pearce, star of The Traitors, and together they persevered on the ice, channeling their collective grief into determination.
- In a courageous display of mental health awareness, Chanel, The Vivienne's sister, is advocating for reclassifying ketamine as a Class A substance and lifting the stigma surrounding addiction, in memory of her brother.
- It was during their time on RuPaul's Drag Race that The Vivienne publicly shared their battle with drug addiction, shedding light on the real dangers of ketamine.
- Research reveals that the use of ketamine, while having legitimate uses as a medical anesthetic, can lead to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, in addition to physical consequences like kidney damage.
