RuPaul’s Drag Race UK dedicates series 4 episode to Cherry Valentine following death aged 28 leaving fans in tears-Cydney Yeates-Entertainment – Metro

The latest episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race was dedicated to Cherry Valentine (Picture: BBC)

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK series 4 dedicated its second episode to the late Cherry Valentine, who died earlier this month aged 28.

The drag artist and mental health nurse, real name George Ward, appeared on the second season of the BBC Three competition show before launching a TV career and fronting the documentary Gypsy Queen And Proud.

Ward’s family confirmed the news of his death in a statement last week, saying their lives ‘will never be the same.’

A tribute to Ward appeared after the credits rolled at the end of Thursday night’s Drag Race episode, with the show’s official Twitter account posting: ‘Tonight’s #DragRaceUK episode is dedicated to our sister Cherry Valentine.❤️’

Fans were quick to express their sorrow after seeing the dedication, with many saying they were in tears.

‘You don’t understand how much this made me sob today, rest in power Cherry,’ wrote one.

Cherry Valentine was a contestant on the second series of the beloved BBC Three show (Picture: BBC)

George Ward’s family confirmed his death saying their lives ‘will never be the same’ (Picture: Instagram)

Another penned: ‘I still haven’t fully processed this. So sad that we lost such a beautiful queen. Rest in Power Cherry.’

‘I choked up a bit when Cherry came on at the end,’ a third said. ‘Gone too soon & insanely talented. Love you Cherry.’

Ward’s family announced his death on September 23 in a statement that read: ‘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.

‘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. We love you Georgie.’

Devastated fans have paid tribute to the late star (Picture: Instagram)

Following his death, a GoFundMe page was set up in Ward’s honour and has raised more than £13,000.

Ward 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, Ward was announced as one of 12 contestants competing in the second series of the UK version of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

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In his introductory video for the show, he described his Cherry Valentine alter-ego as ‘glamour’, ‘dark’, and ‘gothic’.

After appearing on the show, Ward worked with the BBC to produce a documentary exploring his Traveller heritage.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK airs Thursdays at 9pm on BBC Three.

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