Paul O’Grady Has Died Aged 67
Paul O’Grady has died at the age of 67.
O’Grady was an English comedian, TV presenter, actor and writer who hosted programmes such as Blankety Blank and The Paul O’Grady Show.
He found notability in the London gay scene during the 1980s through his drag queen persona Lily Savage, which found huge popularity in the 90s.
During his career, he also made guest appearances on shows such as Dr Who and Holby City.
Watch fellow presenter Eamonn Holmes pay tribute in the clip below…
O’Grady’s partner, Andre Portasio, has shared a statement announcing the devastating news of his death.
In a statement, he says the TV presenter ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ passed away in his sleep on Tuesday evening.
It reads (via Sky News): “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.”
Many people have taken to Twitter and paid tribute to O’Grady.
One fan pens: “Really sad news. RIP Paul O’Grady, a Liverpool icon.”
A second writes: “RIP Paul O’Grady, an amazing man with a beautiful heart.”
“Waking up to the sad news that Paul O’Grady has passed away. A lovely, kind, funny and down-to-earth man with such an enormous love for dogs,” somebody else says.
While a fourth person comments: “What a lovely and funny guy. So long Paul/Lily Savage. Thanks for the hilarity.”
Over the years, O’Grady spoke candidly of his health problems.
The TV star suffered his first heart attack in 2002, before having another in both 2006 and 2014.
“My cardiologist says I have the constitution of an ox,” he previously told The Sun.
“Three days after my last heart attack, I was back fire-eating with McFly.”
In 2017, O’Grady was hospitalised with kidney problems during a trip to India.
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He was treated with antibiotics and saline treatment.
While most recently, O’Grady revealed that Covid ‘wiped [him] out’.
At the time, he told the Express: “I [took] a good two months getting over it. My breath had gone.
“All I did was sleep. I’d wake up, go downstairs and sit on the couch and then pass out for another four hours.”
Both of the presenter’s parents died from heart problems – his father passed away when O’Grady was a teen and his mother – whose maiden name was Savage – when he was 33.
O’Grady leaves behind his daughter Sharon, who he had with close friend Diane Jansen in 1974, as well as two grandchildren.
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