Dancing on Ice star Colin Grafton paid a touching tribute to his late co-star The Vivienne for his most recent performance on the ITV skating show.
On Monday (February 17), the professional skater took to Instagram to share the sweet nod he paid to the late drag queen – whose real name was James Lee Williams – as he reflected over his performance on Sunday night (February 16).
The American figure skater, 33, wore on of The Vivienne’s costumes from their time on the show for his most recent performance in touching tribute to the star.
Sharing a dashing snap backstage on the ice rink, Colin rocked a striped white shirt which featured a dramatic bow detail and added a large wig styled into a quiff for his latest performance with The Traitors star Mollie Pearce.
The star looked pensive as Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time played over the image, which he captioned: “Tonight was extra special. Thank you to you all for voting.
“This was The Vivienne’s last costume on our season of Dancing on Ice and it felt so special to wear it tonight. She was with me.” He also added that he couldn’t be prouder of his partner Mollie, while thanking the hair, make-up and costume team who pulled together his look for the night.
In 2023, The Vivienne and Colin made it to the final of the show and finished in a respectable third place overall. The 32-year-old drag queen sadly died at home on Sunday, January 5.
Upon hearing the tragic news Colin took to Instagram to pay tribute to the star. Admitting he is “truly heartbroken”, he took to Instagram to share a series of photos of the pair along with some touching words.
He wrote: “I can’t believe I’m writing these words. 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. They truly brought light into every room they entered, and gave so many people hope where there was none.
“I am truly heartbroken. What we were able to accomplish together on Dancing On Ice was truly remarkable and I know your bravery and our partnership inspired many people,” he continued.
“I will always be so proud of what we accomplished. Viv, your spirit, strength, and kindness will always stay with me and with everyone you touched. I will forever cherish our time together on and off the ice, you will forever be my Mary Poppins.
“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,” he sadly ended the tribute.
On February 12 it was announced a formal inquest will be opened into the RuPaul’s Drag Race star’s death after Coroner’s officer Amanda Edgar said Williams had “an unnatural cause of death.”
Dancing on Ice airs on Sundays from 6.30pm on ITV1 or catch up on ITVX.
