The LGBTQ+ community are paying tribute to George Ward more famously known as drag queen Cherry Valentine.
The RuPaul's Drag Race UK star died at the age of 28 with the news being confirmed by his family in a statement.
George, who died on Sunday, appeared on the second series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, before launching a TV career and fronting the BBC documentary Gypsy Queen And Proud. His family said: "It is with the most heart-wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George - Cherry Valentine - has tragically passed away.
READ MORE: RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine dies aged 28
"This will come as a profound shock to most people and we understand there is no easy way for this to be announced. 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 at this time. We love you Georgie."
Amongst those paying tribute includes RuPaul’s Drag Race winner The Vivienne who appeared on the series before Cherry did. Taking to Instagram, the performer wrote: “I have no words, my thoughts and prayers go out to all of your family.”
Another Liverpool-based queen, Sister Sister, who appeared on the same series as Cherry, shared a series of photos of the performer on her Instagram story, one of which was accompanied with the message: “We are all going to miss you”.
Cherry’s company, Throne Events, also released a statement. They added: “It is with the deepest sadness and heartbreak that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and company director George - Cherry Valentine. We are still in shock from the news and we ask for your patience and thoughts at this time. To George’s family, friends and fans, we are sending you all so much love. We will always remember George with love and will always remember his art, creativeness, dedication to mental health services and his contagious laugh.”
George was raised in Darlington, County Durham as part of the Traveller community and qualified as a mental health nurse in 2015, before starting his career in drag. In December 2020, he was announced as one of 12 contestants competing in the second series of the UK version of RuPaul's Drag Race.
In his introductory video for the show, he described his Cherry Valentine alter-ego as "glamour", "dark" and "gothic". He explained how his work as a nurse had "put me in that right position to be able to understand people a bit more". He said: "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, George joined the BBC to produce a documentary exploring his Traveller heritage. In the 2022 special, called Gypsy Queen And Proud, he revisited the community he left aged 18. During the pandemic, he rejoined his role as a nurse to help with the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. He also performed publicly and appeared in music videos by artists such as Charli XCX.
Fans are invited to share their memories of George and Cherry in a book of condolence online.
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