RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 forged pose up a storm in London forward of annual DragCon UK – following fears for hit present’s future after former champion The Vivienne’s shock demise

The cast of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 17 took on London on Thursday, ahead of the fourth RuPaul’s DragCon UK this weekend.

The 14 new queens posed up a storm at luxury hotel Corinthia London, after their season of the beloved reality series premiered last week.

Looking nothing short of sensational were new stars Arrietty, Joella, Jewels Sparkles, Lexi Love, Lana Ja’Rae, Sam Star, Kori King, Lydia B Kollins, Hormona Lisa, Suzie Toot, Acacia Forgot, Crystal Envy and Onya Nurve.

The group’s appearance in the capital comes just days ahead of RuPaul’s annual drag convention, which is returning for its fourth year in the UK on Friday and Saturday at ExCel London.

However, the legend himself RuPaul, was not pictured with the cast as he continued to grieve the shocking loss of former champion The Vivienne.

The performer, whose real name was James Lee Williams, tragically died on Sunday at the age of 32, devastating fans and their fellow queens.

James’ distraught father found his son unresponsive at home, with Cheshire Police stating officers were called to an address in Chorlton-by-Backford at 12.22pm on Sunday and in an update, confirmed they had found ‘no suspicious circumstances’.

The Viv, who used they/them pronouns, had been one of the breakout stars of the UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, winning the first series in 2019 with a successful combination of honesty, catty putdowns and an excellent impersonation of Donald Trump.

The Mail revealed yesterday that the shocking tragedy has also cast doubt of the future of Drag Race UK, with host RuPaul debating stepping back from the show.

The icon, 64, was said to be ‘absolutely devastated’ by The Viv’s death and has been ‘in bits’ about the sudden loss.

Breaking his silence on The Vivienne’s death on Monday, RuPaul told his six million Instagram followers: ‘With a broken heart, I join the entire Drag Race universe in mourning the loss of The Vivienne – an incredibly talented queen and a lovely human being.’

Alongside the post was a throwback photo of James, out of drag, and posing next to his idol.

But, the tragedy has weighed so heavily on RuPaul that he is now ‘seriously considering’ stepping away from his hosting duties on the show.

A friend of the star told the Mail: ‘This has come like a bolt out of the blue for Ru. The Vivienne was one of his brightest stars and everyone knows what a soft spot he had for them.  

‘He has been left absolutely devastated by their passing and is now weighing up his own future. Ru is now seriously considering standing down from hosting the UK franchise, which will always be associated with The Viv.’

For some time RuPaul has confided in those close to him that his filming schedule is packed and he ‘isn’t getting any younger’.

What’s more, he believes the show is in ‘good hands’ with his co-presenters Michelle Visage, Alan Carr and Graham Norton.

But, without its eponymous host, fans of the show are sure to question how long it can continue – if at all.

Meanwhile, RuPaul and best friend and co-host Michelle, 56, are said to planning a ‘very special tribute’ to The Viv at DragCon this weekend, to ‘celebrate and not just mourn’ the performer.

There will also be a memorial booth on the ‘pink’ carpet where attendees can pay tribute, with an insider saying: ‘They want to fill the room with love’.

Thousands are expected to attend the convention – the biggest in the UK – with RuPaul travelling 5,000 miles from his Beverly Hills mansion to London to attend with Michelle at his side.

American singer Michelle, who is a key pillar of the UK drag scene, was a close friend of The Vivienne and is expected to take the reins of Drag Race if RuPaul steps down. 

In a tribute to The Vivienne this week, she wrote: ‘Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all. You were a beacon to so many.

‘I’m the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times. I love you my darling.’

James adopted The Vivienne as a drag name from a love of Vivienne Westwood clothing and had been on the verge of a superstar career.

TV chiefs hoped to make The Vivienne the next Lily Savage, the alter ego of the late Paul O’Grady, due to both stars’ quick wit and Liverpudlian roots.

And than two weeks before their death, the artist had appeared as a panellist on Blankety Blank – the game show on which Lily Savage became famous.

The Viv was also being lined up for the new series of Celebrity Big Brother in March after coming third on last year’s Dancing on Ice.

While last year, they made a critically acclaimed debut in the West End, performing as the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz and the Childcatcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.