Cherry Valentine (real name: George Ward) is an English drag queen who gained global fame for appearing in season two of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Sadly, the beloved mental health nurse passed away on 18th September 2022. Her family released the following statement:
“It is with the most heart wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George – Cherry Valentine – has tragically passed away. As his family, we are still processing his death and our lives will never be the same. We understand how much he is loved and how many lives he has inspired and touched. All we ask is for your patience and your prayers in this time.”
Cherry’s family hasn’t published Valentine’s cause of death
At the time of writing, Cherry’s cause of death remains a mystery. Since confirming her passing, Cherry’s family hasn’t published any other information about Valentine’s death.
The condolence messages that flooded in after the announcement had a common theme – they praised Cherry’s kindness and authenticity. Bimini Bon-Boulash, an English drag queen, tweeted:
“At a loss for words. One of those souls so pure, so raw, so real. I’m incredibly lucky to have known George and witnessed their infectious spirit. Their patience and kindness was their superpower. They saw you for you and not many people have that empathetic trait.”
Valentine didn’t plan to quit nursing after achieving television fame
PlastiQ, a Newcastle-based performer, said their conversations with Cherry featured constant laughter. They said Cherry decided to stick to nursing, even after achieving television fame:
“We had been talking about how she had been on drag race and I was like, ‘You’re famous now, you don’t have to be a nurse anymore,’ and she said, ‘No I want to be a nurse, being a nurse was my first love, I want to keep doing that – drag I’ll keep doing when I can.”
PlastiQ praised Valentine’s activism, calling her a voice for the Traveller community. “She really did use her platform on television to let other queer Travellers to know that it’s OK to be you – adnd that level of activism from a unique point of view is unfathomable,” they said.