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’

[30 March 2023 11:00 · Nicole Vassell]

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

For The Independent, Michael Hogan has remembered Paul O’Grady as one of British entertainment’s very best.

“O’Grady paved a way for a generation of TV talent: the likes of Graham Norton and Rylan Clark owe him a debt, as does RuPaul’s Drag Race and its myriad spin-offs,” he writes in his tribute.

You can read it in full here:

[30 March 2023 11:30 · Nicole Vassell]

Watch: Amanda Holden claims Paul O’Grady was ‘not woke in any way'

[30 March 2023 12:08 · Nicole Vassell]

Tom Hardy’s tribute

Tom Hardy was one of several celebrities to commemorate Paul O’Grady on Wednesday (29 March).

In an Instagram post, he paid tribute to his fellow dog-lover, writing: “Such a lovely lovely human. Thank you for all you have done the laughter and the kindness and for your love of dogs.”

Tom Hardy’s tribute to Paul O’Grady (Instagram / Tom Hardy)

[30 March 2023 12:40 · Nicole Vassell]

Craig Revel Horwood: ‘I’m in a state of shock'

On Wednesday morning (29 March), Craig Revel Horwood shared his reaction to news of Paul O’Grady’s unexpected death.

“I’m in a state of shock this morning, waking up to the news that my gorgeous colleague and friend, Paul O’Grady has passed away,” his Instagram caption read.

“I’m actually reeling in disbelief. He was such a wonderful human being, funny and to the point. Paul, legend, RIP darling.”

[30 March 2023 13:10 · Nicole Vassell]

Kate Thornton: ‘Paul always ready to speak up for the underdog'

Presenter Kate Thornton shared her memories of Paul O’Grady with a post on Instagram on Wednesday (29 March).

“My feed is awash with tributes to this brilliant man, an entertainment giant who blazed a trail like no other,” her message reads.

“But I wanted to mention some of the other qualities he had that made him such a star in my eyes: his kindness, loyalty and moral compass which was spot on always. Paul had the most incredible sense of what was fair and just, and because of that he was always ready to speak up for the underdog and lend them his voice. “A kind man with a rapier wit, full of funny bones and even funnier one liners.”

[30 March 2023 13:40 · Nicole Vassell]

ICYMI: Paul O’Grady’s Savage quip to police as they raided the Vauxhall Tavern in 1987

After the news of Paul O’Grady’s death, fans recalled a story of how he mocked police officers raiding a Vauxhall pub he was working at in the 1980s.

As Lily Savage, O’Grady was hosting at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern when police officers started making arrests – wearing washing-up gloves.

Find out why, and how Lily Savage reacted below: