LAST UPDATE | 29 Mar 2023
TV PRESENTER AND comedian Paul O’Grady has died at the age of 67, his husband Andre Portasio has said.
The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” yesterday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said.
Portasio said in his statement: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.”
“We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
“I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”
Take Me Out presenter Paddy McGuinness paid his respects to the late star, tweeting “Paul O’Grady let me stand in for him on his chat show over 15 years ago. He was always supportive, kind and just great to be around”.
McGuiness added: “Paul started in the pubs and working men’s clubs but finished as an icon of British TV. I’ll miss him very much. Rest in peace Paul.”
TV presenter Carol Vorderman, best known for being on Countdown, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that O’Grady “exploded through the daft, made-up rules of society”.
She added: “When you were with Paul, and even when you watched him on screen … he was one of those people who just made your blood feel like you were alive.
“There was every part of you that was alive, and you never knew what was going to happen.”
The Grady family originated from Galway and Roscommon, with Paul’s father Paddy Grady moving from Ballincurry, Co Roscommon to England in 1936.
The “O” in the family name was added by error when his father joined the RAF, and decided to keep the extra letter, Paul O’Grady told the Late Late Show in 2015.
He was raised in Birkenhead, Liverpool in a strong Irish community and would regular visit his parent’s homeland.
During his career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs.
He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
The UK’s Queen Consort, Camilla, stated she has been left “deeply saddened” at the death of Paul O’Grady, whose “warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many”.
Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of @Battersea_, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories. pic.twitter.com/N13aBuBYCm
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) March 29, 2023
Last year he joined her in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador.
Paul O’Grady was “laughing, smiling and full of life” shortly before his death, his friend and radio producer Malcolm Prince said today.
Prince, who worked with O’Grady at both BBC Radio 2 and Boom Radio added in a tweet: “Yesterday afternoon I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up.
“Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling and full of life.”
“I can’t believe it. We have lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives. My heart goes out to Andre, Paul’s family, and friends. Oh how I’ll miss him.”
O’Grady’s love for animal was well-known, and he had lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Portasio along with a menagerie of animals including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls.
In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home chief executive Peter Laurie said the home was “joining the nation” in mourning the loss of O’Grady, who helped raise its profile to millions around the world.
“Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres,” he said.
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.”
During the coronavirus lockdown, he wrote his debut children’s book, Eddie Albert And The Amazing Animal Gang, which was published in September 2021.
In August of 2022 he presented his final BBC Radio 2 show having hosted the Sunday afternoon programme for nearly 14 years.
O’Grady had been set to return to the airwaves next month to host a one-off Easter Sunday radio show on Boom Radio.
ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly described O’Grady as “a really special man” in an online tribute.
“Such sad news. Paul O’Grady – funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise. Will be sorely missed. A really special man.”
Replying to another Twitter user, she added: “I always think dogs are the best judge of character and they ADORED him.”
Born in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, Merseyside, O’Grady’s mother’s maiden name was Savage – which is believed to have inspired his famous drag alter ego.
He began his career performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s whilst working as a peripatetic care officer for Camden Council, going on to tour northern England as part of drag duo the Playgirls.
He later settled into a solo show as Savage that ran for eight years at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, and made a name for himself speaking out about LGBT issues.
Throughout his career O’Grady won numerous accolades including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.
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