London – According to his family, George Ward, a star of the British edition of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” died at the age of 28.
Ward, who rose to prominence on the BBC’s “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” as Cherry Valentine, died on September 18, according to his family.
It is with the most heart breaking and deepest grief to notify you that beloved George — Cherry Valentine — has sadly passed away,” his family stated in a statement posted by his agent.
Most people will be taken aback, and we appreciate there is no simple way to break the news.
We are still processing his passing as a family, and our lives will never be the same.
We recognise how much he is loved and how many lives he has inspired and affected,” the statement said. All we want is for your patience and prayers at this difficult time. Georgie, we adore you. November 30, 1993 – September 18, 2022.
Ward was up in the travelling community in Darlington, northeast England, and began doing drag as a child.
In 2020-2021, he appeared in six episodes of the show, which airs on BBC Three. He described his alter ego Cherry Valentine as “everything” in his debut video, saying, She is glamour, she’s club kid, she’s dark, she’s gothic.
Ward worked as a mental health nurse before appearing on “Drag Race.” He worked in immunisation units during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ward appeared earlier this year in the BBC documentary “Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud,” in which he discussed quitting the traveller community after being rejected for coming out as gay at the age of 18.
Bunning said of her client in a statement to CNN: “It goes without saying that my heart is torn as his agent. George was a very unique individual with immense talent (and) a promising future. He could light up a room, affect so many people’s lives, and few could forget his contagious laugh, which I will sadly miss
Fiona Campbell, the controller of BBC Three, also expressed her sympathy. We are all surprised and heartbroken to hear the news of George, known to many as Cherry Valentine, she wrote in a statement on the BBC’s website. We were delighted to have worked with him at BBC Three. He was a fan favourite and an inspiration to many.
His many fans and friends will miss him greatly. Our hearts go out to his family and friends during this terrible time.
