Who is Cherry Valentine? Meet the RuPaul’s Drag Race UK queen from Darlington
"In the world of drag, just like a Cherry, I sit on top!"
Series two of RuPaul's Drag Race UK is well underway. The show returned on January 14th, introducing viewers to 12 queens.
So far, we've already seen on contestant sashay away from the competition. Joe Black was the first to be eliminated from the show following a lip sync battle with Bimini Bon Boulash.
That leaves 11 RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants in the competition.
One of the queens in this year's line-up is Cherry Valentine, a relative newbie to the drag scene.
"I’m originally from the small town of Darlington – it has a massive clock, and I love clocks! But I left Darlington and moved to Manchester and that’s where Cherry Valentine was born!" she said.
As the race continues, here's everything you need to know about Cherry Valentine.
Cherry Valentine: Key Facts
Age: 26
From: Darlington
Instagram: thecherryvalentine
Twitter: @theCvalentine
Strengths: If she is thrown anything to do with art, acting or sewing, Cherry should have what it takes to do well. "I love art, that’s what I did at college. I make 99 per cent of my own outfits. I know my way around a sewing machine, and I challenge anyone to make a better gown than me. I want to get my teeth into an acting challenge because embodying a character and becoming a completely different person is exciting."
Weaknesses: "I’m most scared of intimidating all of the other queens, haha! No, on this worldwide platform, you’re working with people at the top of their game, so it will be inspiring and daunting to be around so many talented people."
For how long has Cherry Valentine done drag? Just under a year.
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Who is Cherry Valentine?
"Cherry Valentine is everything. She is glamour, she is a club kid, she’s dark, she’s gothic, she’s a dancer, she’s flippy. Look at me, I am a queen. I’m a high fashion queen. I look fierce, and my body is hourglass perfect – as there’s nowt worse than a saggy b**b."[sic]
Outside of the drag scene, Cherry has a job that is more important than ever right now.
"I’m not just a drag queen, I’m a fully qualified mental health nurse too. I believe that everyone could do with a bit of therapy (especially now), and I think that being a nurse has helped create my drag and that drag has helped my nursing. I understand both myself and other people a lot more now.
"During the pandemic, I put my nursing kit back on and went back to the frontline and did what I could to help."
As for what got Cherry into drag, she said: "Growing up on a gypsy camp, my view of life was really different to others, and doing drag has really opened my eyes, and given me a new lease of life. I never thought I’d be doing this. I just thought I’d grow up, do my dad’s job, do a few cars up, so to be sat here right now, I feel really proud of myself. The world is now my stage and that’s exciting. It gives me shivers!"
When is RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on TV?
You can watch RuPaul’s Drag Race UK on BBC Three via BBC iPlayer from 14th January 2021. Series one is available to view now on iPlayer.
New episodes will then be made available weekly on Thursdays.
The show is based on the popular US franchise RuPaul's Drag Race, which has run for 13 seasons and been adapted by seven different countries.
RuPaul Charles handpicks 12 queens, who he then judges along with Michelle Visage and rotating judges Graham Norton and Alan Carr after a series of challenges.
A different guest star also offers feedback each week.
New episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race season two are available to stream on BBC iPlayer on Thursdays at 7pm. RuPaul’s Drag Race season one is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. If you’re looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.
