'Drag Race UK' Star Cherry Valentine's Tragic Cause of Death Revealed
RuPaul's Drag Race UK via Twitter. BBC ThreeReading Time: 2 minutes
Drag Queens all over mourned the sudden passing of Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine in September 2022. Months after the news of her death was announced, the tragic reason detailed by her flatmate/friend has been revealed.
Cherry Valentine Took Her Own Life After Struggling With Fame
The former Drag Race UK season two competitor, Valentine’s sudden passing was met with sadness from fans and fellow drag queens around. Valentine, whose real name is George Ward, was found by his flatmate and friend on September 18, 2022, to have taken his own life.
Ward’s flatmate and friend, only known by the name Kate, detailed in a post-mortem report that she noticed differences in his sleeping pattern days before his death. It was also revealed that the drag queen was struggling to deal with fame after appearing on the show. Unfortunately, the struggles became a serious problem. Which then ultimately results in Ward hanging himself in his Hornsey, North London flat.
“[Kate] also said [Ward]’s ex-partner had recently got engaged. [The friends] would regularly chat about their struggles, but [Kate] believed that Ward’s extravagant behavior was a mask. [Ward] previously suffered from depression… this is something he has battled with,” according to a report.
It was revealed that Kate had attended a concert before returning to the apartment on September 18, 2022. After discovering a clothes rack blocking his bedroom door and a note telling her not to enter, she immediately dialed emergency services. When the paramedics arrived, they were unable to resuscitate Ward, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Three A4-sized messages, one written to Kate and the other two to family and friends, were discovered in his room.
Cherry Valentine’s Family Shared an Emotional Tribute
Friends and family of the drag queen were present during the court hearing for the death of Ward. At the hearing, Ward’s family shared an emotional tribute to him after Assistant Coroner Dr. Peter Straker declared the death to be by suicide.
“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. We love you Georgie.” As stated in the tribute.
In spite of her tragic passing, Valentine will always be remembered for her time in the show. Where she earned a twelfth-place finish. In 2022, she also starred in Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, a BBC documentary, It was about Ward’s return to the Traveler community after mending his relationship with his family.
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