Paul O’Grady tributes: Amanda Holden, Lorraine Kelly and Piers Morgan lead tributes to ‘brilliant’ star after his death
AMANDA Holden, Lorraine Kelly and Piers Morgan have led tributes to the late Paul O’Grady today.
The TV and radio star passed away last night at 67, ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ according to a statement from his husband.
And Paul’s celebrity friends were quick to praise him on social media.
“Woken up to this sad, sad news,” wrote Amanda Holden.
“I loved Paul. He was brilliantly opinionated, searingly sharp and very funny.
“I loved our conversations. I can’t quite believe it. Thoughts with Andre and their family.”
Piers Morgan added: “RIP Paul O’Grady, 67. A wonderfully warm, mischievous, hilarious guy with a sublime natural talent for broadcasting and making people laugh.”
Lorraine Kelly, Paul’s ITV co-star said: “Paul O’Grady. The kindest, funniest man – warm, witty and wise. Dogs are the best judge of character and they LOVED him.”
On her own TV show today, the Scottish host fought back tears as she recalled her pal.
Paying tribute, Lorraine, 63, had tears in her eyes as she told viewers about the time Paul had joined the show on her 50th birthday.
She was speaking to Susanna Reid and Martin Lewis as they cut to Lorraine, and explained: “It’s so so sad. But every time you think of him and you remember, you just smile and you laugh.
“I turned 50 and they said to me, we’ve got a surprise for you, you don’t have to do anything, and Paul hosted the whole show.”
And Carol Vorderman added: “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?”
Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain anchor Susanna Reid paid tribute to the “funny and compassionate star” on the ITV daytime show.
Her co-star Martin Lewis took to Twitter to write: “Quite shocked and saddened to wake up to the news of Paul O’Grady passing. #RipPaulOgrady. A funny man, with incredibly quick wit, who made millions laugh.”
GMB newsreader Charlotte Hawkins took to Twitter to write: “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. Such a loss & gone too young.”
Radio presenter Simon Mayo wrote on Twitter: “What awful news. A lovely man, always funny and a radio natural.”
Telly favourite Les Dennis added: “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.”
Fellow comedian Paddy McGuinness wrote: “Paul O’Grady let me stand in for him on his chat show over 15 years ago. He was always supportive, kind and just great to be around.
“Paul started in the pubs and working men’s clubs but finished as an icon of British TV. I’ll miss him very much. Rest in peace Paul.”
Joan Collins has added: “So sad to hear about the sudden death of Paul O’Grady. Always so much fun and such a fierce defender of our furry friends.”
Former Strictly star James Jordan wrote: “RIP Paul O’Grady – such sad news this morning. Every time we met him he was the kindest warmest person.
“My thoughts are with his family.”
Popstar Olly Murs wrote on Instagram: “Very sad news to wake up to.
“Loved Paul!! Heart of gold, funny as and just a pleasure to be around.
“Thinking of his family, close friends and dogs right now.”
Denise Van Outen took to Instagram to write: “Paul O’Grady you will be missed by so many.
“I remember when I first started on the Big Breakfast you gave me advice starting my new job on the show.
“‘Just give em filth’ you said. So funny!
“Kind, hilarious and so generous. Thinking of your husband, family and friends at this sad time. RIP Paul.”
Bake Off star Paul Hollywood paid tribute with a smiling snap showing the pair together.
He wrote: “Such sad news, Paul O’Grady was such a nice guy and genuine, also a fellow Wirralite!”
Broadcaster Eamonn Holmes also branded it a “sad day.”
Family Fortunes host Vernon Kay wrote on his Twitter page: “Paul O’Grady was one of the nicest and kindest people I’ve ever met. Always a joy to be around and obviously, so much fun. He will be missed. Telly and friends have lost one of the best….RIP.”
Meanwhile former X Factor star Joe McElderry confessed: “I was stood in Paul O’grady’s dressing room @TheatreRoyalNew less than 3 weeks ago! He was full of life chatting and being so wonderful as always!
“So so sad! And such a loss! A true showbiz entertainer! May he rest in peace.”
Paul’s former Radio 2 colleague Zoe Ball posted a snap to Instagram showing the pair with beaming smiles.
In her caption, she wrote: “Rest well dear Paul.
“Truly heartbroken to hear you’ve left for the great cocktail bar in the sky. Sending love & thoughts to your chap, your family and your friend producer Malcolm. Our listeners tributes are so special today.
“Forever in our hearts gorgeous, funny funny, super smart & generous man. The greatest raconteur. Made of pure magic. Forever grateful for your love, support & friendship back on The Big Breakfast. Give ’em hell up there darling.”
Olympian Greg Rutherford posted a smiling snap showing the pair together and wrote: “Incredibly sad news about Paul O’Grady. I had the pleasure of meeting him a number of times and he was always so warm and funny. We shared dog photos and talked about all the daft stuff they do.
“When you grow up watching people on TV you hope they’re every bit as wonderful in real life and Paul was that and more.
“Sending love to all of Paul’s family and friends x”
Big Brother star Kate Lawler posted a compilation of images of Paul with dogs and wrote: “When human beings are this good natured it makes their passing even more of a shock and saddening.
“Paul was kind, compassionate, empathetic, funny, a beautiful soul who shone bright for decades. He will be missed by so many but we should take comfort in the fact that he passed away at home, peacefully. I’m sure this still doesn’t make it any easier for his loved ones.
“My thoughts are with his family including his beloved rescue dogs.
“Rest in paradise Paul. Thank you for brightening up our lives. x”
Actress Sheridan Smith candidly revealed she was “heartbroken” by the news.
In her emotional tribute she wrote: “Heartbroken by this news. Did one of my first ever TV jobs with Paul (Eyes Down) in 2003, he was a friend till the end. As real and genuine as they come.
“Will never forget his kindness, fun and constant support. A working class hero. What a loss. Will miss you Lily.”
The Royal Family’s official Instagram page posted a snap showing Her Majesty Queen Consort Camilla strolling with Paul and a pooch just last December.
The caption read: “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.”
Paul’s husband of 11 years Andre Portasio announced his death in the early hours of this morning, saying: “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.”
Paul’s cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but he had struggled with his health in recent years.
The Brit personality made a name for himself in comedy, and television – and later became known for his love of dogs.
In 2020, at the age of 65, Paul opened up about having three heart attacks, kidney failure and a coronavirus scare behind him.
At the time he told The Sun: “My cardiologist says I have the constitution of an ox.
“Three days after my last heart attack, I was back fire-eating with McFly.
“The heart is a muscle so you have two choices: Sit on the sofa and count your tablets all day, or get on with it and get moving — swimming and walking, gentle exercise.”
Paul suffered heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and his parents both died of heart issues.
In 2017, he was hospitalised in India with kidney trouble while filming his animal show. Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.
Born on June 14, 1955 in Birkenhead, before he hit the big time, Paul performed as Lily Savage in the 80s.
He started off working the drag circuit with his act across pubs and clubs, and as he grew popular he eventually toured the country.
From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed annually as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for his act.
Paul followed this with a show titled Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which proved to be a sell-out.
He went on to host Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast for a year in the mid-Nineties, as alter ego Lily.
He then fronted BBC game show Blankety Blank from 1998 to 2002, as Lily, and in 2004 landed his own teatime chat slot, The Paul O’Grady Show, on Channel 4.
In 2008, he got an MBE and in 2010 the National Television Awards Special Recognition gong.
He took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.
The comedian was married to former-professional ballerina Andre Portasio in 2017 after the pair began dating in 2006.
At the time a close friend told The Sun: “Paul is as happy as he’s ever been to be married to Andre.”
Paul had one daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen in 1974.
