Cherry Valentine

Cherry Valentine
Photograph of a drag queen wearing a red wig and black outfit
Cherry Valentine in 2022
Born
George Ward

(1993-11-30)30 November 1993
Darlington, England
Died18 September 2022(2022-09-18) (aged 28)
Hornsey, London, England
EducationUniversity of Cumbria (BSc)
Occupations
Television

George Ward (30 November 1993 – 18 September 2022), better known by the stage name Cherry Valentine, was an English drag queen and mental health nurse who competed in the second series of the television show RuPaul's Drag Race UK. Raised in a Romanichal community, Ward has been credited as the first contestant on the Drag Race franchise to acknowledge his Romani heritage. In 2022, he addressed his background in the BBC documentary film Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, and in an episode of the documentary series God Shave the Queens. Following Ward's suicide in 2022, a memorial concert and fundraiser was held at London's Clapham Grand.