AJ Bediako, OG Drag Race UK Pit Crew Member, Reportedly Dead

AJ Bediako, one of the original Pit Crew members of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is reportedly dead according to a statement shared by his teammates at the London Knights Basketball Club — a gay and inclusive basketball club in the United Kingdom.

via: Pink News

A statement posted on social media by London Knights Basketball Club, the UK’s first gay basketball club, confirmed that its “core” member AJ Bediako had died. 

Bediako, an actor, fitness coach and personal trainer, appeared in three episodes of Drag Race UK season one, as one of the OG ‘Brit Crew’ members.

The ‘Brit Crew’ are the Drag Race UK version of the famous ‘Pit Crew’ who appear on episodes of Drag Race to assist the competitors with mini and maxi challenges.

Bediako appeared on episodes two, five and six of the season, which was eventually won by The Vivienne, who died in January this year.

“We’re heartbroken to share the news of the passing of our teammate, friend and much loved member of our family, AJ,” the statement from London Knights Basketball Club reads.

“AJ was a core part of the London Knights, his uplifting energy, constant support and beaming smile lit up every room he walked into. In his role as club secretary, he gave so much to our community and played a huge part in shaping our club into the place it is today. His passing leaves a huge hole in our club and in our lives.

“Last night at training, we came together to remember AJ and hold space for each other. We send our deepest condolences to his family, his partner Gabe, our teammates, his friends and everyone who was lucky enough to know him.

“Rest in peace, AJ. You will be missed immensely and will always be part of the Knights.”

Drag Race UK winners Tia Kofi and Blu Hydrangea reacted to the Knights’ post, while season four queen Pixie Polite commented: “He was such a lovely human. So kind, so supportive.”

Others remembered Bediako as “always the nicest person in the room,” “an example of how people should be,” and ‘the kindest, friendliest, warmest of people”.

A cause of death has not yet been shared publicly.

In addition to appearing on Drag Race UK and playing for the Knights, Bediako was known for starring as a Huntsman alongside Chris Hemsworth in The Huntsman: Winter’s War.

He also appeared in an episode of Sky Living show Venus vs. Mars, according to IMDb.

The actor’s most recent Instagram grid post, shared in January, celebrated 2024 as a “year of enjoyment” and looked forward to 2025 being a year of “more dream chasing”.

In a video interview for LGBTQ+ youth organisation It Gets Better UK, posted in January 2024, Bediako introduced himself as an “actor and model” and spoke about his experience of coming out as LGBTQ+.

“My teenage years were very hard and confusing because I grew up in a church, and everybody knew everyone. I had an inkling that I was different to other people. I knew I was attracted to guys. Around the time of YouTube popping up, that’s when I started to get more information,” he shared.

He opened up about his experience of coming out to his brothers and making friends while on a media course.

“That was kind of the beginning of it getting better because I had people that were not judging me, that loved me for who I was.

“They loved me because I was AJ. They loved me for who I was as a person. Even if you feel like people do not love you right now, there will always be people that love you. You are perfect the way you are.”