09 February 2023 , 15:20
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A RuPaul's Drag Race star was found hanged at his home after struggling to deal with fame, an inquest heard.
George Ward, known by his alter-ego and drag name Cherry Valentine on the UK series of the show, was discovered by his flatmate and friend in Hornsey, North London, in September.
The 28-year-old had been "struggling" with his rise to fame after appearing on the BBC Three programme, an inquest heard.
George, who had been a qualified mental health nurse, helped the NHS with vaccinations once the Covid pandemic hit.
The performer used he/they pronouns when not in drag and was genderfluid, the inquest was told.
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George Ward was tragically found hanged at his home (thecherryvalentine/Instagram)
He was known by alter-ego Cherry Valentine (BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)George starred in his own BBC documentary in 2022, titled Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, about his return to the Traveller community after rekindling his relationship with his family. He previously spoke about how they had "disowned" him when he first came out.
His flatmate and friend Kate said in a postmortem report that she had noticed differences in his sleeping pattern ahead of his death.
"[Kate] stated that he seemed normal but recently noticed that he had been sleeping late and getting up late," the report said.
"The subject was a successful drag queen, and [his friend] believes he had been struggling with his rise to fame after being on RuPaul's Drag Race.
(thecherryvalentine/Instagram)
He struggled with the fame after the show (Getty Images)"[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 behaviour was a mask.
"[Ward] previously suffered from depression… this is something he has battled with."
Kate had been at a concert on September 18 2022 before she returned to the flat, the hearing was told.
George was genderfluid when out of drag, the inquest heard (BBC)She called 999 after finding a clothes rack blocking his bedroom door and a note telling him not to enter.
Paramedics arrived but were tragically unable to revive him and he was declared dead at the scene.
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Three pages of A4 notes were found in his room, with one addressed to Kate and the other two to family and other people, the inquest heard.
George's family paid tribute to the Drag Race star at the inquest (BBC/World of Wonder/Guy Levy)Assistant Coroner Dr Peter Straker recorded a verdict of suicide.
His family shared a tribute to George at the hearing, which read: "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.”
*If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch