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Tributes paid to 'champion for the underdog' Paul O'Grady

Updated / Wednesday, 29 Mar 2023 11:11
Paul O'Grady and new friend at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's Brands Hatch Centre in Kent in February 2022
Paul O'Grady and new friend at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's Brands Hatch Centre in Kent in February 2022

Tributes have been paid to the broadcaster and comedian Paul O'Grady following his death at the age of 67.

Britain's Queen Consort had a special bond with O'Grady and worked closely with him in their support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

She will be sharing her sympathies with his family privately in due course, Buckingham Palace said.

The British royal family's official Twitter account paid tribute to O'Grady, posting an image of Camilla with the star.

It 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."

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home - the setting for O'Grady's series Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs - described him as a "devoted animal lover" and a champion for the underdog".

The organisation, for which the TV star was an ambassador, praised his "razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth".

In a statement shared with the PA news agency, Battersea chief executive Peter Laurie said: "Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels 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."

He continued: "Paul had an extremely hands-on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages.

"He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life. He will be dearly missed."

Elton John wrote on Instagram: "Saddening news to hear of Paul O'Grady's passing this morning.

"A brilliant entertainer, wit, and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and the fight against AIDS and HIV who I was fortunate enough to spend time with including when he hosted @davidfurnish's and my Stag Party before our Civil Partnership in 2005.

"Thank you for all the joy you brought into the world, Paul. You went places nobody had gone before and we will miss you very much."

TV's Lorraine Kelly said: "Such sad news. Paul O'Grady - funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise. Will be sorely missed. A really special man."

Her fellow broadcaster Carol Vorderman tweeted: "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?"

Former Big Breakfast presenter Gaby Roslin, who occasionally sat in for the presenter on his BBC Radio 2 show, wrote that his death is "unbelievably sad news" and said the presenter was a "one-off" as she posted a picture on Instagram of the star with his dog.

She added: "Goodness me we laughed together so much. Our chats lasted for hours and he’ll be up there now nattering away and keeping everyone laughing.

"This lovely photo of him and (dog) Buster makes me smile and I know he’ll want us all to smile when we think of him and celebrate his life.

"My love and deepest sympathies to Andre and to Sharon and the family. He was brave and clever and naughty and a dear friend. Sleep tight Savage darling I adored you."

Presenter Vernon Kay said O'Grady was "always a joy to be around" and described him as "one of the best" in an online tribute.

"Paul O'Grady was one of the nicest and kindest people I've ever met," he tweeted.

"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."

Danny Beard, the winner of the fourth series of Ru Paul's Drag Race UK, said O'Grady was "the most important person in British culture for drag", having started his career as Lily Savage in the 1970s.

"I don't think there's anyone who does the job that I do that doesn't class Paul as an icon," Beard told BBC Breakfast.

"Paul was a trailblazer, they were on telly just after the AIDS crisis.

"They've been the most important person, I think, in British culture for drag, for the queer community."

"This is a really sad loss today," Beard added.

Paddy McGuiness wrote on Twitter that O'Grady, for whom he stood in on his chat show more than 15 years ago, "was always supportive, kind and just great to be around".

The Top Gear and Take Me Out presenter added: "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."

Source: Press Association

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