Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that Drag Queen, George Ward – Cherry Valentine, has died. (Read More Here).
In a tribute, Drag Race UK said they are ‘heartbroken that Cherry has passed away’.
‘She was a kind soul who brought joy and a distinctive laugh to everyone she met. She brought flair, verve and charm to #DragRaceUK, we will miss her so deeply,’ the statement read.
BBC Three also said: ‘We are devastated at the passing of George, who we knew as Cherry Valentine.’
Drag Race host RuPaul paid tribute in an emotional message on Twitter, writing: ‘So sad to hear. A bright star and a lovely person. @TheCValentine Always in our hearts.’
Fiona Campbell, BBC Three Controller, added: ‘We are all shocked and heartbroken to hear the news of the passing of George, known to many as Cherry Valentine.’
In December 2020, Ward was announced as one of 12 contestants competing in the second series of the UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which is broadcast on BBC Three.
In his introductory video for the show, he described his Cherry Valentine alter-ego as “glamour”, “dark” and “gothic”.
He said his work as a nurse had “put me in that right position to be able to understand people a bit more”.
“If you are a drag queen you are working with people. And to understand people I think you go the extra mile.”
After appearing on the show, Ward joined with the BBC to produce a documentary exploring his Traveller heritage, called Gypsy Queen And Proud.
He revisited the community he left aged 18 as part of the programme.
Ward also performed publicly and appeared opposite Charli XCX in the music video for her single Good Ones.
Ward appeared on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and went on to front the BBC documentary Gypsy Queen And Proud.
A statement from his family described his death as a “profound shock”.
Ward, who died on Sunday, was raised in Darlington, County Durham as part of the Traveller community.
He qualified as a mental health nurse in 2015, before starting his career in drag. “It is with the most heart-wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George – Cherry Valentine – has tragically passed away,” Ward’s family said.
“This will come as a profound shock to most people and we understand there is no easy way for this to be announced.”
