It’s with great sadness that we report the passing of beloved TV star and comedian Paul O’Grady, who died at the age of 67. Best known for his alter ego, Lily Savage, O’Grady captured the hearts of audiences with his quick wit, irreverent humor, and larger-than-life personality. Throughout his career, he entertained millions through his TV shows, books, and numerous appearances on stage and radio. His death is a loss not just to the entertainment industry, but to all of those who were touched by his humor and generosity.
British television presenter and comedian, Paul O’Grady, has passed away at the age of 67. His partner, Andre Portasio, announced that he had died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening. O’Grady, who was also known for his drag queen persona, Lily Savage, was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, having presented a variety of shows including Blind Date, The Paul O’Grady Show, For The Love Of Dogs, and Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
O’Grady and Portasio were married in a low-key ceremony in 2017. Portasio released a statement following O’Grady’s passing, asking the public to “respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss”. He went on to say that O’Grady would be “greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit, and compassion”.
Last year, O’Grady appeared alongside the Queen Consort in a special episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador. The charity paid tribute to O’Grady as a “devoted animal lover” and a “champion for the underdog”. O’Grady had lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Portasio and a menagerie of animals, including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens, and barn owls.
Aside from his work in the entertainment industry, O’Grady was passionate about LGBT+ rights and spoke out on many issues affecting the community. He began his career performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s whilst working as a peripatetic care officer for Camden Council. O’Grady’s career took off with TV and radio appearances in character, and he was eventually asked to take over from Paula Yates as The Big Breakfast presenter as Savage from 1995 to 1996.
Throughout his career, O’Grady won numerous accolades, including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show. In August 2022, he presented his final BBC Radio 2 show after hosting the Sunday afternoon programme for nearly 14 years. He had been set to return to the airwaves next month to host a one-off Easter Sunday radio show on Boom Radio.
Following the news of O’Grady’s passing, many celebrities and fans took to social media to pay tribute to him. ITV presenter, Lorraine Kelly, described O’Grady as “a really special man” and said that “dogs are the best judge of character and they ADORED him”. Other notable figures who expressed their condolences included comedian, Julian Clary, and former England footballer and Match of the Day presenter, Gary Lineker.
The entertainment industry has lost a beloved figure in Paul O’Grady, whose contribution to television and passion for animal welfare will long be remembered. While his passing has left a void in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him, his memory and legacy will live on.
The passing of Paul O’Grady is a great loss for the world of entertainment, and especially for his loyal fans who have followed his career for decades. He brought so much joy and laughter to our screens, and his contributions to the entertainment industry will never be forgotten. Paul’s legacy as a TV star and comedian will live on, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Paul O’Grady, and thank you for the endless entertainment and happiness you brought into our lives.
