A STAR of RuPaul’s Drag Race was found hanged at home after “struggling” to cope with fame, an inquest heard.
George Ward, 28, was discovered by his friend and flatmate in Hornsey, North London, last September.
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An inquest heard how 28-year-old had been “struggling” with his rise to fame after appearing on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
George performed on the cult TV show under his alter-ego and drag name Cherry Valentine.
Once the Covid pandemic hit, George, who was a qualified mental health nurse, assisted the NHS with vaccinations.
The inquest was told George used he/they pronouns when not in drag and was genderfluid.
George had “rekindled” his relationship with his family after they previously “disowned” him when he came out, it was said.
He starred in his own BBC Documentary, Cherry Valentine: Gypsy Queen and Proud, in 2022 about his return to the Traveller community.
George’s friend and flatmate Kate told a post mortem report she had noticed changes in George’s sleeping pattern leading up to his death.
The report said: “[Kate] stated that he seemed normal but recently noticed that he had been sleeping late and getting up late.
“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.
“[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.”
The hearing was told Kate was out at a concert on September 18, 2022.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
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It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
She returned home to find a clothes rack blocking his bedroom door and a note telling her not to enter.
Kate called 999 after struggling to fully push the door open.
Tragically, paramedics were unable to save George and he was declared dead at the scene.
The inquest was told three A4 pages of notes were found in his room – one to Kate and two others addressed to his family and other unspecified people.
Assistant Coroner Dr Peter Straker recorded a verdict of suicide.
In a tribute to George following the tragedy, his family said: “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 are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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