Tributes pour in as Paul O'Grady dies age 67
His husband described his death as "unexpected"
Last updated 29th Mar 2023
Paul O'Grady has sadly passed away at the age of 67, as confirmed by his husband Andre Portasio. The TV star, who rose to fame as drag star Lily Savage, died on Tuesday 28th March 2023, with Andre releasing a statement.
It read: '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.'
The statement continued: '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.'
Among the hundreds of comments from fans on his Instagram posts, many famous faces have taken to social media to pay tribute to Paul, who was renowned for his charity work and awarded an MBE in 2008.
Tributes to Paul O'Grady
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
Charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, of which Paul was an ambassador, shared a touching photo of Paul with a dog, alongside the caption: 'Battersea joins the nation in mourning the loss of @paulogrady - an entertainment legend and much-loved Ambassador to our charity.
'We’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and friends. To millions Paul O’Grady is the popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth.
'Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell in love with every dog he met at our centres. 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.'
Her Majesty The Queen Consort
The Royal Family's Instagram page shared a photo of the Queen Consort with Paul, as they worked together on raising awareness for Battersea. They wrote: '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.'
Adil Ray
Actor and presenter Adil Ray OBE shared a clip of Paul as his drag character Lily Savage in an interview on Parkinson, writing: 'Paul O’Grady was an extraordinary talent. His humour, warmth and kindness shone through in everything he did. Nobody like him. Absolutely no one. The presenter we looked up to. Thoughts with his family and friends.'
Carol Vorderman
Carol wrote on Twitter: 'Paul O'Grady 🖤 Already giving them raucous, ripping up the rulebook, mischief making, calling it out, loving hell in heaven Paul, what are we meant to do without you?'
All On The Board
London Underground's All On The Board paid tribute to Paul in a beautiful hand-written poem, alongside the caption: 'Rest in peace Paul O’Grady. You will be forever loved, always missed and never forgotten. Sending love to your family, friends and fans.'
Lorraine Kelly
Lorraine tweeted: 'Such sad news. Paul O’Grady - funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise. Will be sorely missed. A really special man.'
Sandi Toksvig
Former Bake Off host Sandi Toksvig added: 'Working with Paul O’Grady was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Funny, fearless and full of rage. The best. The world seems a little less bright.'
Simon Mayo
Greatest Hits Radio presenter Simon Mayo penned: 'What awful news. A lovely man, always funny and a radio natural.'
Ken Bruce
Fellow Greatest Hits Radio presenter Ken Bruce tweeted: 'Such shocking sad news about Paul O’Grady. A unique and brilliant broadcaster who brightened the nation.'
Rob Brydon
Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon added: 'Paul O'Grady was a lovely warm and caring man with a lightning fast and devastating wit. What terrible news.'
Tony Maudsley
Coronation Street and Benidorm actor Tony Maudsley shared a photo of himself acting alongside Paul, with the caption: 'One of those days that you just don't want to happen. Devastated to wake up to the news that my mate Paul O'Grady has left us. One of the best. Precious memories of some of the happiest and funniest times of my life. RIP Lily x 💔.'
Craig Revel Horwood
Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Revel Horwood wrote: '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. I’m actually reeling in disbelief. He was such a wonderful human being, funny and to the point. Paul, legend, RIP darling.'
Michael Ball
Stage star Michael Ball OBE tweeted: 'Cannot comprehend that Paul O’Grady is no longer with us. Too many stories, too many memories, too many laughs to begin to calculate the loss. An original and mold breaking, gifted, generous, beautiful man. God bless kid 💔.'
Paddy McGuinness
TV presenter Paddy McGuinness posted a photo of himself presenting alongside Paul, writing: 'So saddened to hear about Paul’s passing. Paul let me stand in for him on his chat show over 15 years ago and he’d been supportive, kind and welcoming ever since.
'To think I’ll never see him in person again is very upsetting. In a funny way he always reminded me of my Mum and Auntie with his old school warmth and wit. The world has lost one of the good ones. Rest in peace Paul, you lovely, lovely man. X'
Les Dennis
Actor and presenter Les Dennis wrote: 'So sad to wake to the news that Paul O’Grady has died. He was a true comedy great and his twinkly, mischievous presence will be missed by so many. RIP dear Paul.'
Alan Davies
QI panellist and actor Alan Davies wrote: 'Very sad to hear that Paul O’Grady has gone. Shocked by the news. Such a nice man, and so funny. As Lily Savage he was razor sharp but he was so warm. There’ll be a lot of tears around the world of comedy and tv today.'
Charlotte Hawkins
She took to Twitter: 'Oh no, such sad news to wake up to that the magnificent Paul O’Grady has died at the age of 67. What a warm-hearted, hugely talented and funny man he was. Plus a dog-lover of course, with his brilliant show @RealPOGDogs supporting @Battersea_ . Such a loss & gone too young 😔.'
Samuel West
Actor Samuel West shared images of Paul's quotes about LBGTQ+ rights and his political views, alongside the tweet: 'Rotten news to wake up to. Paul O’Grady was a primetime drag queen, a famously kind person, a fierce critic of austerity, a brave fighter for gay rights, a great friend to animals and an effortlessly funny comedian. RIP.'
Paying tribute to the famous faces we have lost this year:
Fred White
Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Fred White passed away at the age of 67 in January. His brother and band mate Verdine White confirmed the sad news in a statement.
David Gold
Joint-chairman of West Ham, David Gold, sadly died at the age of 86 following a short illness in January. West Ham confirmed the news in a statement, revealing he passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters and fiancee.
Gianluca Vialli
Former Chelsea and Italy footballer Gianluca Vialli sadly lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer in January, at the age of 58. Tributes from fans and football clubs across the world poured in following the news.
Jeff Beck
Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck sadly died at the age of 78 in January, after contracting bacterial meningitis. His family confirmed the news in a statement.
Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley, US singer and only child of Elvis Presley, sadly died at the age of 54 in January, after being rushed for medical treatment earlier in the same day.
Robbie Bachman
Bachman-Turner Overdrive drummer and co-founder Robbie Bachman sadly died at the age of 69 in January. His older brother Randy Bachman confirmed the news in a social media statement.
Paco Rabanne
Spanish-born fashion designer Paco Rabanne sadly died at the age of 88 in February. A statement on Twitter read: 'The House of Paco Rabanne wishes to honour our visionary designer and founder who passed away today at the age of 88. Among the most seminal fashion figures of the 20th century, his legacy will remain a constant source of inspiration.'
Burt Bacharach
Composer of some of the best known pop songs of the 21st century, Burt Bacharach, sadly died at the age of 94 in February. Having written over 500 songs in his career, Burt was often described as one of the 'greatest songwriters'.
John Motson
Legendary football commentator John Motson sadly died at the age of 77 in February. Tributes from around the world of sport poured in for him.
Steve Mackey
Pulp bassist Steve Mackey sadly died at the age of 56 in March, following a number of months in hospital. His family and former band mates paid a touching tribute to him online.
Gary Rossington
Gary Rossington, the last original member of band Lynyrd Skynyrd, sadly passed away at the age of 71 in March. The band released a statement to pay tribute to Gary.
Tom Sizemore
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Margaret Lake (Mystic Meg)
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Lance Reddick
The Wire and John Wick actor Lance Reddick died suddenly from natural causes at the age of 60 in March, his family confirmed in a statement.
Paul O'Grady
Paul O'Grady passed away 'unexpectedly but peacefully' at the age of 67 according to his partner Andre Portasio. The comedian and TV star was well-known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage.
Bernadette Hunt (Falcon)
It was announced in March that Gladiators star Falcon, real name Bernadette Hunt, sadly passed away at the age of 59 following a battle with cancer.
Paul Cattermole
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Len Goodman
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