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.
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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.”
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.
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.”
Fellow comedian Paddy McGuinnes 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 has an icon of British TV. I’ll miss him very much. Rest in peace Paul.”
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.”
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.
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“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.
O’Grady 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.
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