George Ward, better known to many as RuPaul's Drag Race UK Season Two contestant Cherry Valentine, died on September 18, 2022. George competed alongside Lawrence Chaney, Bimini, Tia Kofi, and Joe Black, leaving the reality show in episode two.
Filming for Drag Race UK came to an abrupt end in 2021 following the announcement of the global COVID-19 pandemic. George, a qualified mental health nurse, halted drag and returned to the NHS as a frontline NHS vaccinator during the pandemic before filming resumed.
Following Drag Race UK, George hit worldwide fame, winning over the fans with their infectious laugh, undeniable warmth, and talent. In 2021, George established Throne Events UK with their friend Adam Edwards, with a mission to change the LGBTQ+ events industry.
Throne Events launched with a successful Tales of the Condemned Halloween Tour starring Cherry Valentine alongside RuPaul's Drag Race UK's Joe Black, Charity Kase, and Black Peppa. Throne Events continued with a host of events across the north of England.
Legacy
After George's death in 2022, Adam Edwards vowed to continue Throne Events UK in the name of Cherry Valentine as a tribute to his friend and co-founder George Ward. Within weeks of George's death, Throne Events announced the Cherry Valentine Memorial Concert at the Clapham Grand, London, with a star-studded cast including Tia Kofi, Bimini Bon Boulash, Joe Black, Ginny Lemon, Veronica Green, and more. You can read and sign Book of Remembrance here.
Since 2022, Throne Events has represented Cherry Valentine at RuPaul's Drag Con UK and Drag Con LA, displaying Cherry's iconic dresses, selling memorabilia and raising money for charities and future Cherry Valentine projects.
In 2023, Throne Events launched Cherry Valentine Legacy Events, a ticket-selling platform for artists and small businesses to sell tickets, keep 100% of their sales, and raise important money for mental health and suicide prevention charities.
In 2024, Cherry Valentine's iconic dress was loaned to the Queer Britain Museum in London as part of their "We Are LGBTQ+ Travellers" collection.
Throne Events continues to host LGBTQ+ events across the North of England in Todmorden, Leeds, Manchester, and Preston and is looking to continue to expand. Events include RuPaul's Drag Race artists, themed club nights, and bottomless drag brunches. Check out what Throne Events is getting up to near you at www.throneeventsuk.com or follow @Throneeventsuk on all socials.
Comments