Paul O’Grady death – latest news: Camilla, Elton John and Joe Lycett pay tribute after presenter dies aged 67

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

Paul O’Grady: TV star and comedian dies at the age of 67

Fans, friends and colleagues are continuing to pay tribute to Paul O’Grady, who died on Tuesday evening (28 March), aged 67.

Queen Camilla, Elton John, Lorraine Kelly, Piers Morgan, Joe Lycett and others from the TV industry have paid tribute, as well as MPs at PMQs on Wednesday afternoon (29 March).

Dominic Raab was mocked after incorrectly paying tribute to the “incredible comic Paul Grayson”, instead of Paul O’Grady.

“Paul Grayson was an incredible comic, but he also...” Raab said during PMQs on Wednesday 29 March, before eventually correcting himself.

In 2013, O’Grady made a poignant comment on death and living past the age of 60.

Throughout his career, the TV host, known for his drag persona Lily Savage, won numerous accolades including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.

He was also known for his love for animals. He lived in a farmhouse in Kent with his husband Andre Portasio along with a menagerie of animals including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls.

Key Points

• Paul O’Grady: The ultimate outsider who became a national treasure
• Dominic Raab mourns ‘Paul Grayson’ in PMQs blunder
• Paul O’Grady’s poignant words on death and counting his blessings
• Queen Camilla ‘deeply saddened’ to learn of comedian’s death
• Battersea Dogs and Cats Home hails Paul O’Grady as ‘champion for the underdog’

[29 March 2023 21:20 · Inga Parkel]

Paul O’Grady: The ultimate outsider who became a national treasure

Paul O’Grady (Getty Images)

The roof-raising riot, who combined warm compassion with outrageously spiky wit, has died unexpectedly aged 67. Michael Hogan looks back on his glittering career

[29 March 2023 22:20 · Inga Parkel]

Paul O’Grady’s poignant words on death and counting his blessings

In 2013, O’Grady was rushed to hospital after being struck by angina – chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. It’s not usually life-threatening, but it’s a warning sign that you could be at risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Earlier that year, he had shared his thoughts on his mortality. “I do count my blessings,” he said, according to The Mirror. “I have had two heart attacks, and if I get to 60 that will be amazing. I don’t fear anything nowadays.

“There has to be an angel out there. They are trying to steer me out of trouble 24 hours a day.”

Paul O’Grady (Multistory Media / Battersea Cats and Dogs Home)

Presenter and comedian, who has died aged 67, had said that it would be ‘amazing’ if he got to 60

[29 March 2023 23:20 · Inga Parkel]

Dominic Raab misnames Paul O’Grady as ‘Paul Grayson’ in Commons speech

Dominic Raab drew groans in the House of Commons this afternoon when he paid tribute to “Paul Grayson” instead of Paul O’Grady.

Following on from a tribute from Labour MP Chris Bryant, Raab said: “I totally agree with him, Paul Grayson was an incredible comic but he also…”

After hearing the grumbles from his fellow MPs, Raab grinned and corrected his mistake.

[30 March 2023 00:20 · Inga Parkel]

ITV announces schedule change to honour Paul O’Grady

In light of Paul O’Grady’s unexpected death, ITV has announced a change to ITV1’s schedule for Wednesday.

At 5pm, ITV1 will broadcast a repeat episode of Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs: A Royal Special instead of The Chase.

Later, at 8pm, the channel will air a tribute special called For the Love of Paul O’Grady.

Finally, the new series of Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs will air at 8.30pm as planned.

Paul O’Grady (ITV)

[30 March 2023 01:20 · Tom Murray]

Eddie Izzard honours ‘lovely’ and ‘decent guy, who cared about people'

Suzy Eddie Izzard credited O’Grady with helping her come out as transgender “in the TV world back in 1991”.

“I’m sure it helped that Paul was already out there, being very relaxed,” she said.

A major part of O’Grady’s legacy was his career as his drag persona, Lily Savage.

[30 March 2023 02:19 · Tom Murray]

‘I’ve been no use to anyone today,’ says Alan Carr

Alan Carr has responded to the news of O’Grady’s death after a day of grieving.

Carr shared a selfie of him and his fellow comedian on Instagram with the caption: “I’ve been no use to anyone today.”

He remembered: “Having dinner with Paul O’Grady was the closest any of us would get to having dinner with Dorothy Parker or Truman Capote – he would have you literally in hysterics regaling these showbiz anecdotes and quips from Marlene Dietrich to Cilla Black to The Royals to the Disappointer Sisters – it seemed like he knew everyone.”

The former Chatty Man host also recalled a joke he’d heard O’Grady tell recently: “My friend asked him... ‘do you think you’ll go to heaven Paul?’ Quick as a whip he replied ‘I hope not, I won’t know anyone.’”

[30 March 2023 03:20 · Tom Murray]

Queen ‘deeply saddened’ by death of fellow dog-lover Paul O’Grady

Camilla has shared her sadness at the news that TV presenter and comedian Paul O’Grady has died aged 67.

The Queen Consort shared a special bond with the late star, and worked closely with him in their support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

She will be sharing her sympathies with Paul’s family privately in due course, the Palace said in a statement.

Full story:

Camilla with Paul O’Grady in 2022 (Getty Images)

Official statement from the Palace paid tribute to the late TV presenter, who worked closely with the Queen Consort in support of Battersea

[30 March 2023 04:21 · Tom Murray]

Video: Paul O'Grady feeds pigs in final Instagram post

[30 March 2023 05:00 · Peony Hirwani]

Tribute: Paul O’Grady: The ultimate outsider who became a national treasure

The roof-raising riot, who combined warm compassion with outrageously spiky wit, has died unexpectedly aged 67. The Independent’s Michael Hogan looks back on his glittering career.

[30 March 2023 05:30 · Peony Hirwani]

Paul O’Grady ‘improved the lives of Britain’s LGBT+ community’ – tributes

Paul O’Grady improved the lives of Britain’s LGBT+ community and his cultural impact resonates across the world, fellow comedian Eddie Izzard said on Wednesday (29 March) as Sir Elton John, Queen Consort Camilla and Ken Bruce led tributes.

Alastair Jamieson reports.