‘RuPaul’s Drag Race U.K.’ Contestant George Ward, Known as Cherry Valentine, Dies at 28

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RuPaul's Drag Race UK has paid an emotional onstage tribute to Cherry Valentine following their tragic death.A former member of the traveller community and NHS nurse, Cherry - whose real name was George Ward - passed away on Sunday at the age of 28. The shocking news of their death was confirmed by Cherry's devastated family in an emotional statement.READ MORE:RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Cherry Valentine dies aged 28, confirms devastated familyFollowing Cherry's passing being confirmed on Friday (September 23), queens from RuPaul's Drag Race UK paid their own touching tributes with an emotional onstage moment of silence.Taking to the stage in Swansea, cast members from Drag Race UK's third series stood arm-in-arm as photos of Cherry both in and out of drag appeared on stage behind them.Performers including Kitty Scott Claus, Chorizo May, Ella Vaday, Vanity Milan and series three winner Krystal Versace paid tribute as they marked Cherry's passing during The Official RuPaul's Drag Race UK series three tour at Swansea Arena Official.The queens fell silent in front of an emotional and hushed crowd.Cherry competed in the second series of the BBC Three show, which was won by Lawrence Chaney.Posting their own tribute to Cherry on Twitter on Saturday (September 24), Lawrence wrote: "I still don't have words. "Don't think I'll ever have words.

Born and raised as George Ward in the Traveller community in Darlington, drag performer Cherry Valentine thought their life was mapped out for them. "I was going to get a job as a mechanic, get married, have kids and that would be it," the Drag Race UK star, who has died aged 28, said in an interview with the Manchester Evening News earlier this year.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Lawrence Chaney says he's lost for words following the death of contestant Cherry Valentine.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine has died aged 28.

star, whose real name was George Ward, died on Sept. 18, according to a statement from his parents, which was released through his PR firm on Instagram. He was 28.«It is with the most heart wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George — Cherry Valentine — has tragically passed away,» the statement reads.

Drag performer George Ward, who competed in BBC reality competition “RuPaul’s Drag Race UK” under the name Cherry Valentine, has died at age 28.

Cherry Valentine has unfortunately passed away.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Ellie Diamond has led the tributes to Cherry Valentine after it was announced they had tragically died aged 28. Cherry's, whose real name is George Ward and passed away on Sunday, family said in a statement: "It is with the most heart wrenching and deepest sadness to inform you that our George - Cherry Valentine - has tragically passed away. "This will come as a profound shock to most people & we understand there is no easy way for this to be announced.

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Cherry Valentine, a beloved member of the RuPaul’s Drag Race family, has sadly died.

BBC documentary Gypsy Queen And Proud. A statement from 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. “This will come as a profound shock to most people and we understand there is no easy way for this to be announced.

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Tributes have started pouring in for Ru Paul's Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine after their family revealed that they had died aged 28.

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RUPAUL'S Drag Race star Cherry Valentine has tragically died at the age of 28. The TV favourite's family confirmed the heartbreaking news today, telling of their "deepest sadness". It is not yet clear how Cherry - real name George Ward - died.

GOOD Morning Britain star Charlotte Hawkins has led tributes to her late friend Cherry Valentine, as the Drag Race star died at the age of just 28. Cherry Valetine’s family confirmed the heartbreaking news today, telling of their "deepest sadness". It is not yet clear how Cherry - real name George Ward - died.

Jason Manford defends Harry and Meghan over hand-holding rowTheir drag name was inspired by a cherry-scented bath wash used when showering and because they loved their grandmother who likes drinking sherry.As for Valentine, it was simply because they loved Valentines Day.The drag supersrar grew a fanbase before the series began due to Michelle Visage accidentally leaking who was taking part. They came 12th in the competition.Away from the show, they were a qualified Mental Health Nurse and worked as an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic.After the show, the BBC star fronted their documentary Gypsy Queen and Proud earlier this year.Cherry made the show to highlight being gay in the Gypsy community.The Drag sensation said they invented their alter ego after feeling rejected as George.They went back to their roots to see if they could finally be accepted as a queer Gypsy.Danniella Westbrook fumes royals treated Harry 'as 2nd class citizen' [REACTION]Gwen Stefani wows in pink after 'unrecognisable' look caused a stir [PICTURED]Crossfire star Keeley Hawes married to famous star [REVEALED]Reflecting on not being accepted, Cherry said: “The idea of hope got me through those dark feelings.“Being able to potentially live a different life to what I was expected to be is what really kept me going through it all.“It was the reason why I moved away to be honest. I wanted to do something different to what everyone expected of me.”Of their documentary, Cherry added: “I always say that if I had seen something like this when I was younger, maybe things would have been different for me."It was really strange for me to go back to these places: the town where I grew up, and the camp where my family lives.

Cherry Valentine, one of the stars of the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, has died aged 28, his family have confirmed. He died on 18 September.