Paul O'Grady

Host of Blind Date and Blankety Blank described as someone who stuck up for the underdog – particularly if they were canine.

The charity’s chief executive, Peter Laurie, said: “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.” O’Grady’s affection for animals was so great, he once said that given the choice of more sex or money, he would choose a mongoose. He retired Savage to “a convent in Brittany” in 2004. I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.” [Carol Vorderman](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/vorderman) told the BBC that O’Grady was a “massive talent” who “made every part of you feel like you were alive”. He was discovered at a club in south London when he stood in for an act that called in sick, playing the drag persona Lily Savage, a loud-mouthed single mother and occasional sex worker.

Paul O'Grady, one of Britain's most popular TV personalities, has died aged 67.

[official Twitter account](https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1640997462176419840?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet), writing: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of O’Grady also hosted ITV’s “For The Love Of Dogs.” In a one-off special for the show last year, O’Grady was joined by Camilla, Queen Consort to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organization for which he was an ambassador. An awesome talent stretching decades.” O’Grady won numerous accolades during his career, including a TV BAFTA, and in 2008 he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to entertainment. In 1997, “The Lily Savage Show” ran briefly on the BBC before, later that year O’Grady took on the role of presenting the revived version of BBC gameshow “Blankety Blank,” which ran until 2002. [Doctor Who](https://cnn.com/2022/05/08/entertainment/doctor-who-ncuti-gatwa-intl-scli/index.html)” star John Barrowman [tweeted](https://twitter.com/JohnBarrowman/status/1640948230761631745): “I am totally shocked and sad to hear the awful news that Paul O’Grady has died.

Tributes have been pouring in for the animal-loving TV star and comedian, famous for the 'Paul O'Grady Show',' Blind Date' and 'For The Love Of Dogs' in a ...

He went on to host a number of chat shows, also bringing his immense love of dogs to the small screen with the TV show, For the Love of Dogs. O'Grady became a household name in the 1990s with his drag queen persona Lily Savage, going on to present the game show Blankety Blank. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives.”

He was one of Britain's most loved TV shows host and comedians – and he was never short of a funny quote. Here are 10 of his best quotes on life, work and ...

Here are 10 of his best quotes on life, work and animals. He achieved notability in the [London](/topic/london) gay scene as Lily Savage and was quickly scooped up by broadcasters who noted his quick wit and abundance of talent. Here are 10 of his best – and funniest – quotes ever.

Friends, family, well-wishers, and fans have paid tribute to the late Paul O'Grady after he passed away aged 67.

“He supported my work for many decades and was a valued patron of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. “He exploded through the daft made-up rules of society. Among those to pay tribute were members of the Royal Family. Tatchell went on to describe him as “one of the loveliest people you could ever meet,” saying that he and many others enjoyed his “wit and admired his compassion”. While at St. After the chat show ended in 2015, O’Grady went on to showcase his love and appreciation for animals in Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs.

U.K. broadcaster ITV has revealed the schedule changes brought about by the death of popular British presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady.

Under the Savage persona, he also went on to host light entertainment shows such as “The Big Breakfast,” “Blankety Blank” and “Lily Live!” He had a profound passion for animals too, which resonated with so many viewers, and ‘For The Love of Dogs’ remains one of our best-loved series, and a really special programme for so many. He was a huge, inimitable talent, delighting our viewers through his comedy and entertainment with a warmth, humor and joy that audiences of all generations related to and connected with.

LONDON — (AP) — Entertainer Paul O'Grady, who achieved fame as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a much-loved comedian and host on British television, ...

“Paul was one of the loveliest people you could ever meet,” Tatchell said. Camilla, the queen consort, was a guest on the show last year. O’Grady used his platform to speak out about LGBT rights at the height of the AIDS crisis, a time when the Conservative government of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was passing anti-gay laws.

British TV presenter, actor and comedian Paul O'Grady passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday at the age of 67.

O’Grady began developing the beloved Lily Savage character in the 1970s and performed as her in a solo show that ran for eight years at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern. O’Grady later hosted The Lily Savage Show for a short 1997 stint and then hosted a rebooted version of BBC gameshow Blankety Blank in character. He was so proud of Annie, so happy to be back on Boom Radio, and he was looking forward to so many new projects.” Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling, and full of life. More recently, he had been on tour playing Miss Hannigan in a touring version of Annie. He was 67.

Comedian, broadcaster and chat-show host who shot to widespread fame in the 1990s as his alter ego Lily Savage.

Last year he made a special one-off episode of For the Love of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, for which he was an ambassador. In 2011 he quit Paul O’Grady Live after becoming exasperated with his role as a chat- show host: “I felt part of the PR machine. But O’Grady killed off Savage in 2005, claiming Lily had “seen the light, taken the veil and packed herself off to a convent in France”. A two-part eulogy to the British working class, broadcast in 2013, it prompted press scepticism – not least because O’Grady told viewers he still considered himself working class despite being a millionaire who owned a generous plot of land in Kent. Tatchell said of O’Grady: “Paul wasn’t just a brilliant comedian and broadcast personality but a much admired campaigner for LGBT+ equality and animal rights … “I was born late – what my mother calls the last kick of a dying horse,” he said in his 2009 autobiography At My Mother’s Knee … “They made many arrests but we were a stoic lot and it was business as usual the next night.” In the 70s he worked for Camden council in north London as a peripatetic carer. “So we went out every night and were the talk of the island.” The story was typical of O’Grady, who loved to dramatise his indomitability and had an unquenchable desire to be in the public eye. His defiant unshakeability and desire to perform came together in his first stage persona, the foul-mouthed Lily Savage, who sported a platinum blond beehive wig, vast quantities of makeup, white stilettos, a leopardskin miniskirt and a matching fake-fur coat. “My nose was out to here and I had a black eye, but I said: ‘I’m not ruining my holiday,’” he recalled. She even returned in triumph to her native Merseyside, and became a regular on This Morning with Richard and Judy.

A boundary-busting standup, a radio sensation, a knockout on TV, a champion for LGBTQ rights, and a pet-lover extraordinaire … stars and writers pay tribute ...

He was backstage at the Tavern in 1987, preparing for his performance and adjusting his wig, when suddenly the police burst into his dressing room. O’Grady developed the act (“a creature,” he said, “that was more cartoon than human”) in the gay clubs of London’s Camden Town – specifically, the Black Cap. Recently, when we were working on a campaign to get an apology from the police for their past persecution of the LGBTQ+ community, he told me a story that stuck in my mind. So, in his final months, he was preparing to stand up, accuse them of homophobia and demand they finally take responsibility and apologise. And what he landed on often, was fury – at the “criminals” in government. The fact that a lot of people who wrote in seemed to be of advanced years – the requests were often to thank helpful younger family members or carers – said a great deal about the breadth of his appeal. He wrinkled his nose and said: “I’m just the burnt-out wreck of a once glorious disco.” He worried about them when they were poorly and shared the joy when we found them loving homes. I got the feeling that, with his programmes about animals, he had to really push to make them happen. These tales echoed back to the war, with secrets and debts and back-alley shags in the Liverpool of the Blitz. He could just talk about whatever was in his head and get laughs. He stared at me like the scan of a 3D printer.

Paul O'Grady died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday, according to his husband, Andre Portasio. The beloved 'Lily Savage Show' star was 67.

In the 1990s, O’Grady took his talents to television. Once a care worker in Camden Town, O’Grady made his debut as Lily Savage “You went places nobody had gone before and we will miss you very much.” I’m obsessed with them.” [Q&A with the Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/27/paul-ogrady-im-not-worried-about-sex-money-or-fame-i-just-want-a-mongoose) published in November 2021, O’Grady talked about the “happiest” moment of his life, his greatest fear (“finding a rat swimming in my toilet’’) and his brushes with death. “It’s all animals.

The late Paul O'Grady once fulfilled the dying wish of close friend Chrissie by dressing him as his drag persona, Lily Savage.

“Dressing him was possibly the most difficult bit,” he continued. Then he said Joan Of Arc was in the room, witnessing our agreement. how his friend, who passed away on the same day as Freddie Mercury in 1991, asked O’Grady to “dress” him in full Lily Savage drag after he died – so that’s exactly what O’Grady did. [is survived by his husband](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/29/paul-o-grady-died-dead/) [Andre Portasio and his daughter Sharon](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/29/paul-o-grady-husband-andre-portasio/), who he shared with close friend Diane Jansen. [in the clothes of his drag persona](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/29/paul-o-grady-lily-savage-drag/) “verged on farce”, he also believed that his friend would have “relished” that. [But I have to say he looked fabulous afterwards](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/29/paul-o-grady-remembered-after-death-response/) – I wouldn’t have been a bad mortician,” O’Grady revealed to the Sunday People.

Fellow drag queens praised the character for helping to pave the way for thousands of artists.

"They've paved the way for legions of drag artists and I wouldn't be here without them." at the time I had no idea who I was and what I wanted to be... "Drag isn't scary and it's been around for a long time and we ain't going anywhere, baby!," they said, adding: "He's an icon and he's an inspiration to so many queer people that want to make it in the entertainment industry." "For Paul to make it mainstream on television just after the Aids crisis and working through it as an entertainer really was a testament to who he was as a person," they said. but she made me feel comfortable for the first time." Describing O'Grady as a "trailblazer", they told BBC News: "He took drag to the mainstream and really set the way for people like me to be able to do our jobs."

The actor appeared at Edinburgh Playhouse as Miss Hannigan in a production of Annie just last week.

"People want to see Paul. "He had loads of energy on stage, that's why it was such a shock. "It doesn't matter that he's the star of the show, he's just Paul," she said. "Really it was Paul's show, the cheer that went up in the house when he came on to take his bow at the end, was amazing," he said. He said O'Grady "stole the show" and there was no indication of poor health during his performance. Gavin Scott, a studio manager from Edinburgh who attended one of last week's performances especially to see O'Grady, said his portrayal of the role was "iconic for Edinburgh".

O'Grady was preparing to go on stage in 1987 when a police officer burst into his dressing room.

When the officer asked for a "real" name, he replied: "Lily Veronica Mae Savage." According to one version of events, when the desk sergeant for a name, he gave it as "Lily Savage". this was an ugly, dangerous and very unpleasant time for LGBT+ people." So it seemed to be the fashion at the time," he said. Eleven people were arrested and two customers were injured. It wasn't illegal, and the suggestion it made people more vulnerable to Aids had already been debunked. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. God knows to this day why they raided it." We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. Around that time, newspapers were warning about the use of amyl nitrate, also known as poppers. Tables and chairs were going over. But one pre-fame story shows his role in fighting for LGBT rights.

BBC Radio 2 has received backlash after paying tribute to Paul O' Grady, with accusations the channel 'messed' the star around and contributing to him ...

We wish Paul the very best of luck and hope to work with him again in the future." Paul O’Grady was a true star and his passing is as big a shock to me as the loss of Wogan . He went on: "And the reason I'm leaving because everybody's asked me this. 5.00-7.00 on Sundays will never be the same." A third penned: "And you treated him shabbily!!! May he rest in peace ." One wrote: "Struggle with this tribute as he should never have been forced out of radio 2 in the way he was . "Paul was a brilliant broadcaster and incredible comedian. RIP Paul." One listener responded: "Crocodile tears from a station who treated him abominably. His Sunday night audience loved him, so what did you do, in the name of "progress"? [fire](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/fire) from Paul's fans after posting a black and white photo of the Blankety Blank host, and writing on [Paul O'Grady](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/paul-ogrady).

TV presenter known for his drag persona Lily Savage died 'unexpectedly but peacefully', his partner Andre Portasio said.

[Paul O’Grady](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/paul-ogrady?CMP=ILC-refresh), who [died on Tuesday evening (28 March)](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-death-cause-67-b2309853.html), aged 67. “Appearing on The Paul O’Grady Show was always fun. In his tribute, It’s a Sin creator Russell T Davies named O’Grady as being ‘ferocious in the fight against Aids’. His positions might not be exactly my positions, although ripping into the Tories like he did – absolutely. [Eddie Izzard honours Paul O’Grady for his ‘positive mark’ on the country’s history](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-death-eddie-izzard-tribute-b2310509.html) He was a lovely, decent guy who cared about people. But he did things his way and with aplomb. [‘Minute of applause’ observed for Paul O’Grady at famous London drag show venue](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/london-paul-o-grady-vauxhall-eddie-izzard-england-b2310599.html) [Paul O’Grady remembered as ‘ferocious in the fight against Aids’](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-aids-hiv-elton-john-b2310260.html) [TV presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady has died aged 67.](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-dies-cause-death-age-tributes-b2309927.html) [ instead of Paul O’Grady.](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-dominic-raab-paul-grayson-b2310206.html) [known for his drag persona Lily Savage,](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-lily-savage-police-raid-b2309959.html) won numerous accolades including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.

EXCLUSIVE: Paul O'Grady wed pal Theresa Fernandes in 1976 when her work permit was due to expire - and she faced having to leave London return home to ...

She was uber-cool and laid back and was a big hit with the women customers, who all fancied her David Cassidy good looks. I was a married man.' Paul wrote: 'Reluctantly I stopped what I was doing and slammed a large rum into a glass from the optic. I play her for laughs, because she's either drunk or hungover. We were filming in Malta and I only got one day's filming done. I can't.' But I'm back in business.' Because you can play her pure evil, but I don't. 'I think my last disaster was when I caught Covid last year. He joked: 'Don't take the elderly for granted. I'm no chicken. I'm OK. I'm absolutely fine, touch wood.

Before Paul O'Grady became a prime-time TV presenter, he was best known for his comic alter ego Lily Savage - who rose to fame on the nightclub circuit in ...

"It was around raising up the community, and when you move from a stage like this into the mainstream, when you move into breakfast f****** television... I can take him some time if he wants to go?" Paul O'Grady was an absolute legend of the community." "Obviously a moment of silence is polite... "He would fall in love with that dog and the dog would fall in love with him too and you can't pretend, that was so authentic, that really was Paul - a true animal lover in every bone in his body." but I don't think a moment of silence is right. "He could walk into a kennel with a dog he had never met before, sit on the floor and play with that dog and bond with that dog within minutes. I think this is a moment to applaud, a moment to love, a moment to cheer," he said. "Eight years of doing solo shows... Telling the audience that "a trailblazer and a legend has left us", he then led the crowd in a round of applause. Instead of the typical minute's silence, there was a minute of raucous applause from the audience at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT) in south London on Wednesday evening - a moment to cheer in memory of the "trailblazer and legend". [O'Grady](https://news.sky.com/topic/paul-ogrady-10651) died " [unexpectedly but peacefully" at the age of 67](https://news.sky.com/story/paul-ogrady-tv-star-and-comedian-dies-unexpectedly-12844598) on Tuesday evening.

O'Grady's camp creation built on the legacy of drag artists that came before him and helped change the visibility of LGBTQ+ people in the UK.

In the US, criticism of drag has escalated even further, with a [recent law](https://news.sky.com/story/tennessee-becomes-first-us-state-to-ban-public-drag-performances-12824159) passed in Tennessee that bans drag and female impersonation in public. I was asked to go on stage for an interactive segment of the show, and Lily was just as charismatic and captivating in person as she was from the back of the theatre. RIP “Lily of the Scally”. They argue that the “sexualisation and inappropriateness” of drag represent a threat to children. This led to users on internet forum Mumsnet, [gender-critical feminists](https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/society/953619/what-are-gender-critical-beliefs) (women who believe that sex is biological and immutable and cannot be conflated with gender identity) and anti-drag critics [calling for them to be cancelled](https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/06/23/drag-queen-story-hour-uk-aida-h-dee-sab-samuel-leeds-city-council-sarah-field-mumsnet/?fbclid=IwAR1kts2g7Z30tlIC1waptxwEX0C0bD5_ccjDTXeUvLkRiL6fJmW5z0ipen8). Drag is not only a unique display of artistry and a political standpoint; one of its primary functions has always been that of entertainment. However, it is important to acknowledge the cultural history of drag and those artists, such as O’Grady, who paved the way for a wider social acceptance. After this successful run, O’Grady began to step back from Lily and appear more as himself, with a number of popular programmes such as The Paul O’Grady Show and For the Love of Dogs. [Camilla the Queen Consort](https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1640997462176419840?cxt=HHwWgMC-peuf_8UtAAAA), who stated that O'Grady’s “warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many”. [term “drag” dates back to Shakespeare](https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zbkmkmn#:%7E:text=Shakespeare's%20As%20You%20Like%20It,would%20drag%20along%20the%20floor.) with men playing women’s roles. [Lily Savage](https://www.oocities.org/lilysavage_uk/biography.html) in the early 1980s, where he became popular with queer locals. [Danny La Rue](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/jun/01/danny-la-rue-obituary), [Dame Edna Everage](https://twitter.com/dameednaeverage?lang=en-GB) and Lily Savage, who would often be seen on mainstream television programmes.

The Heart Radio presenter reacted to news of the TV host and comedian's death while co-hosting her show with Jamie Theakston on Wednesday (29 March).

Regardless, many are higlighting that the point Holden was making was “bizarre” as it is inaccurate. [celebrity tributes to O’Grady here](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-dies-cause-death-age-tributes-b2309927.html). [announced the TV star’s “unexpected but peaceful” death](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-dies-cause-death-age-tributes-b2309927.html). [he had shared his thoughts on death and why he was counting his blessings ahead of his 60th birthday.](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-ogrady-death-heart-attack-b2309917.html) He was not woke in any way. [cause of death has not been disclosed,](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-dies-cause-death-age-tributes-b2309927.html) but O’Grady had several health issues over the years. [said in a statement](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-dies-cause-death-age-tributes-b2309927.html): “[Paul] will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.” However, Holden then said: “Do you know what I loved about him? [Collins Dictionary](https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/woke), a “woke” person is described as somebody who is “very aware of social and political unfairness”. [Amanda Holden](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/amanda-holden) has raised eyebrows with her “bizarre” tribute to [Paul O’Grady](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/paul-ogrady), who [has died, aged 67](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/paul-o-grady-death-cause-67-b2309853.html). [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/12162156/paul-ogrady-on-boozing-being-woke-dignitas/): “I’m married to a ballet dancer, I’ve got a daughter, two grandkids and was married to a Portuguese lesbian barmaid. The Heart Radio presenter reacted to news of the TV host and comedian’s death while co-hosting her show with Jamie Theakston on Wednesday (29 March).

Amanda Holden has been criticised following her tribute to Paul O'Grady, who died aged 67 earlier this week.

I've been thinking about that bizarre, clueless Amanda Holden comment about Paul O'Grady not having "a woke bone in his body". [March 29, 2023] He knew what free speech was, and used it,” another added. The word originates from African American culture as a term to refer to someone who is aware of racial prejudices. “Do you know what I loved about him? “I have to say I’m completely shocked,” Holden said.

Paul O'Grady's death shocked fans when his husband announced that the 67-year-old passed away 'unexpectedly' on Tuesday evening, with many emotional at the ...

At least he's reunited with Buster now," one fan said. "He was riddled with cancer. "I used to love watching The Paul O'Grady Show when I was younger. [Paul announced the death of Buster](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/paul-ogradys-dog-buster-dies-432336) during an episode of the The [Paul O'Grady](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/paul-ogrady) Show on [Channel 4](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/channel-4). Another added: "RIP Paul O’Grady used to love watching his show after school with Buster and Olga." [dogs](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/teamdogs) Buster and Olga, with the pooches often making cameos on the late star teatime TV show.

Suzy Eddie Izzard has shared the touching way drag icon Paul O'Grady helped her to come out as trans to the press.

and we were not in a conversation. “Live your life, that’s what I say.” [chose the name Suzy when she was 10](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/07/eddie-izzard-new-name-suzy/). “I think seeing what he did helped LGBT people out there,” Izzard reflected. “I had already told my parents but I knew I had to tell the press because that would mean I was no longer hiding in this lie. It was a combination that really worked.” “I know so many trans people and it’s no big deal. [fearless supporter of transgender rights](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/30/paul-ogrady-lily-savage-trans-ally/), unafraid to speak out in support of his [trans](https://www.thepinknews.com/identity/trans/) friends despite rising hostility. “That was it. She watched O’Grady performing as [Paul was already out there](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/29/paul-ogrady-lily-savage-pop-culture-mariah-carey-coronation-street/), being very relaxed,” she continued. [“Suzy” as her new name](https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/03/08/eddie-izzard-new-name-suzy-reaction-trans-joy/), began openly using [she/her pronouns in 2020](https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/12/30/eddie-izzard-gender-fluid-transgender-she-her-pronouns-identity-backlash-lgb-alliance/), but had referred to herself as a “transvestite” since the mid 1980s.

Paul O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio announced that the multi-talented star died "unexpectedly but peacefully" at the age of 67 earlier this week.

"I much appreciate you all taking the time to reach out. Unbeknownst to us back in January this would be our last ever holiday together." [he wanted to die](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/paul-ogrady-wanted-make-quick-29584856) and said he wanted it to be quick. “I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.” [Andre announced the news](https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-paul-ogrady-radio-2-29575405) of his husband's death with a statement. Andre concluded the post: "Browsing for a picture I found the last picture we ever took together.

Paul O'Grady's grieving husband Andre Portasio has thanked fans and loved ones for their outpouring of support this week after the death of the star.

He later shared a touching tribute to his long-time friend and colleague. My thoughts are with Andre, Paul's family and friends Farewell my friend x' And he fronted Blankety Blank, as well as ITV's award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. Decades earlier in 1974, he had his only child, a daughter called Sharyn Mousley, with his dear friend Diane Jansen. He just let me know what had happened.' He's only 41, he will be so bereft of Paul, he worshipped Paul.' And I just knew. He also had a debiltating Covid battle that left him unable to work for two months. O'Grady married Portuguese lesbian barmaid Teresa Fernandes in 1977 to stop her deportation. Unbeknownst to us back in January this would be our last ever holiday together.' She added: 'He was so happy, full of life. Loss: Paul passed away in his bed with Andre at his side it emerged today, as grief-stricken friends and family detailed the much-loved star's final hours