A WORCESTER drag queen has paid tribute to fellow Drag Race UK castmate Cherry Valentine.
Drag performer George Ward, known by his stage name Cherry Valentine, died at the age of 28.
Ward, who died on Sunday, appeared on the second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, alongside Worcester's Ginny Lemon.
They wrote a moving tribute on Instagram to their fellow contestant saying they shared "happy memories".
Ginny said: "I’m crying so much and I’m also laughing at all the happy memories.
"So many happy happy memories, the “tour time portal”, the broken nail, and all those “silly silly girls” and I’ll never forget the 9am goodnight hug.
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"Cherry my darling, I love you so much, my heart is broken."
The pair appeared in Drag Race UK together in December 2020 with Cherry Valentine finishing 12th and Ginny Lemon walking off the stage during the Lip Synch.
Ward had launched a television career after appearing on the RuPaul show, fronting the 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.
I’m crying so much and I’m also laughing at all the happy memories. So many happy happy memories, the “tour time portal”, the broken nail, and all those “silly silly girls” and I’ll never forget the 9am goodnight hug.
— Ginny Lemon (@GinnyLemon69) September 23, 2022
Cherry my darling, I love you so much, my heart is broken. pic.twitter.com/DmnNv8r3vQ
“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.”
In his introductory video for the show, he described his Cherry Valentine alter-ego as “glamour”, “dark” and “gothic”.
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In the 2022 special, called Gypsy Queen And Proud, he revisited the community he left aged 18.
He also performed publicly and appeared in music videos by artists such as Charli XCX.
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