We couldn't quite believe it when we heard the devastating news that the lovely Paul O'Grady had passed away just age 67. We were always such huge fans of dog-lover Paul O'Grady, and love settling down to watch one of his shows brought us so much joy.
The very sad news was shared by his husband Andre Portasio. In a statement, he said that Paul, "passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening."
"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 official death certificate confirmed that he died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia. We know Paul had experienced heart problems in the years leading to his death, battling heart disease and suffering from three heart attacks.
Paul's Eurovision appearance
We couldn't help but feel rather emotional when a short cameo of the late Paul O'Grady featured in the Eurovision 2023 TV show.
In the video, Paul appears with his dog in a video all about his hometown and home city of Eurovision this year, Liverpool along with several other famous faces who call the city their home.
Touching tributes to Paul O'Grady
Paul's radio producer Malcom Prince:
Yesterday afternoon, I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up.
Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling, and full of life.
He was so proud of ‘Annie’, so happy to be back on Boom Radio, and he was looking forward to so many new projects.
And now he’s gone. I can’t believe it.
We have lost a unique talent - and I’ve lost a dear friend.
We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives.
My heart goes out to Andre, Paul’s family, and friends.
For the Love of Paul O'Grady
As well as broadcasting a very special episode of For the Love of Dogs, ITV have announced that a special tribute to Paul and his amazing life will be broadcast April 9, 2023 at 8pm on ITV1.
For the Love of Paul O'Grady will be a heartfelt tribute to Paul filled with wonderful memories from over the years. ITV's Managing Director of Media and Entertainment, Kevin Lygo said:
‘We are fortunate to have had a long association with Paul, at ITV. He was a huge, inimitable talent, delighting our viewers through his comedy and entertainment with a warmth, humour and joy that audiences of all generations related to and connected with. He had a profound passion for animals too, which resonated with so many viewers, and For The Love of Dogs remains one of our best-loved series, and a really special programme for so many. All those who worked with Paul are shocked and deeply saddened at his passing and the thoughts of everyone at ITV are with Paul’s loved ones.’
Paul's life in pictures
Paul O'Grady's life in pictures
1 of 15Mark Thomas And Lily Savage
Here's a picture of Paul in 1993 dressed in character as Lily Savage alongside comedian Mark Thomas in Soho, London.
2 of 15Lily Savage In Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
Paul was a panto regular over the years, often starring in drag as the evil villain. Here he is dressed as the wicked queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in 2004.
3 of 15Lily Savage brit Awards 1995
Here's Lily Lilly presenting an award at The BRIT Awards in 1995 at London's Alexandra Palace.
4 of 15Paul and Cilla Black 2002
Paul had many close friends in the showbiz industry including the late Cilla Black. Here the pair are pictured at the after-show party for the opening night of the musical The Full Monty in London in 2002 in London.
5 of 15Paul O'Grady with Sir Ian McKellen
Actor Sir Ian McKellen and Paul together at the press night for a West End musical in London.
6 of 15The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady show ran from 2004 to 2015 and was very popular amongst audiences. As well as interviewing a range of celebs, playing games and entertaining everyone with his wit, Paul would always bring one of his dogs with him.
7 of 15Paul O'Grady with Ozzy Osbourne
One famous guest who went on the Paul O'Grady show was Ozzy Osbourse in 2007 who surprised Paul with a big birthday cake to mark the special occasion.
8 of 15Paul with Julian Clary
Not only were Paul and Julian very close friends, they were also neighbours too! Here they are in 2017 at The Olivier Awards at The Royal Albert Hall in London.
9 of 15Paul with Ant and Dec 2014
Here's Paul with fellow ITV favourites Ant and Dec back in 2014 when they attended the TRIC awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
10 of 15Paul with Amanda Holden at charity dog event
We all know how much Paul loved dogs and was a regular at charity events to support our four-legged-friends. Here he is with friend and fellow dog lover Amanda Holden at the annual Collars & Coats Gala Ball in aid of The Battersea Dogs & Cats home at Battersea Evolution in 2014.
11 of 15Paul O'Grady with Mary Berry
Paul had many famous fans including the wonderful Mary Berry. Here they are at the 2013 BAFTA TV Awards nominees party at The Corinthia Hotel in London.
12 of 15Paul O'Grady Battersea Dogs and Cats Home
Paul worked tirelessly to support Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. Here he is posing with a dog at the launch of a new campaign to provide updated kennels at the home in 2014.
13 of 15Paul O'Grady with the Queen at Battersea
He was rather familiar with the Royal family over the years. Here he is with the late Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Battersea Dogs And Cats Home in 2015 admiring a Corgi dog.
14 of 15Paul with his husband 2019
Here's Paul pictured with his loving husband Andre Portasio attending the National Television Awards together in 2019 at The O2 Arena in London, England.
15 of 15Paul O'Grady with the Queen Consort Camilla
More recently, the former Duchess of Cornwall and now Queen Consort Camilla who is also a patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home went on a brief woodland walk in 2022 with Paul and an adorable a rescue dog which is yet to be re-homed.
Paul O'Grady's husband
Paul and his ballet dancer husband Andre Portasio married in 2006 in a small, secret ceremony in August 2017, at the Goring Hotel.
Despite their close relationship, the pair never lived together. Paul said: "We're doing a Helena Bonham Carter and Tim whatshisname, and it works a treat. It's the same as before. We see each other all the time."
Paul was previously married from 1977 – 2005 to Portuguese lesbian Teresa Fernandes although the pair were not in a romantic relationship, and during that time Paul was in a relationship with Brendan Murphy. He says they married as her family were putting pressure on her.
Paul met Brendan Murphy (known as Murphy) in the 1980s while he was performing as Lily, and the two fell in love. Murphy then became Paul’s manager. Tragically, at the height of Paul’s fame on The Paul O’Grady Show, Murphy developed brain cancer, and Paul cared for him at home. He died aged just 49, two days before Paul’s 50th birthday.
Paul O'Grady's children
Paul leaves behind his daughter, Sharyn, who he had with friend Diane Jansen in 1974.
Sharyn is married to son-in-law Philip. There's also his grandson, Abel, born in December 2006 and a granddaughter, Halo, born in 2010. The family are very close, and would always spend Christmas together whenever Paul wasn't performing in panto!
Paul O’Grady’s heart attack
In 2002, poor Paul was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart attack. He was told it was a result of family heart problems, stress, heavy smoking and caffeine. He suffered a second in June 2006, while at home, and had to have angioplasty surgery. This was in the middle of his Paul O’Grady Show success, so he began taking one day off a week for his health, filled in for by presenters including pal Cilla Black. In 2013 he suffered an angina attack and had more heart surgery.
Where did Paul O’Grady’s live?
In 1999 Paul bought Vic Reeves’ home in Aldrington, Kent for £650,000 and built a smallholding for his animal friends. Here, he would grow organic fruit, vegetables and herbs.
In his Kent home, he kept sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys, ducks, chickens, geese, ferrets, mice and of course Paul's adorable dogs. He divided his time between there and a flat in London for work.
Paul O'Grady's career on radio and TV
The Bill
Paul’s TV breakthrough came in 1988 when he appeared as a transvestite character called Roxanne in The Bill. He followed this up with roles in Chimera on ITV where he became pals with Liza Tarbuck, and playing Marlene Dietrich in Rik Mayall’s The New Statesman.
BBC Radio 2 show
Paul spent an impressive 14 years on Radio 2, entertaining listeners across the country. He made the decision to leave his show in 2022, saying a final farewell to his 5pm-7pm Sunday show.
His decision to leave came following the announcement that Rob Beckett would be taking over for two three-month stints each year. Something which Paul cited as the reason he was leaving.
Looking back on his radio career during his 546th episode, he joked, "I only came to do a few hours for Elaine Paige and look what happened."
Paul O'Grady's Little Heroes
Paul's series took a look at the amazing day-to-day work they do at Great Ormond Street hospital.
Paul O’Grady said: “We can learn a lot from these children, we really can. It doesn’t matter what life throws at these kids, they won’t let it stand in their way.”
If you've not watched it before, it followed Paul visiting Great Ormond Street Hospital to spend time with the brave children being treated for a range of illnesses. He tried to bring a smile to the faces of the remarkable patients and 4000 staff members as well as providing them with a helping hand.
Blind date
Paul took over from dear pal Cilla Black to host Blind Date!
The Paul O’Grady Show
After standing in for Des O’Connor on Today with Des and Mel, Paul realised he had a knack for live TV and did well with audiences. He was offered his own programme, The Paul O’Grady Show which began in 2004 and was a huge hit. It saw him interviewing celebrity guests and was packed with jokes, music and his beloved dog Buster. He moved the show from ITV to Channel 4 in 2006, as he wanted Olga TV (Murphy’s production company, named after their dog) to take creative control. In total he presented a whopping 11 series, ending in 2009, before taking it back to ITV for a teatime version until 2015.
Paul as Lily Savage in Blankety Blank
Oh how we enjoyed Blankety Blank! The funny gameshow was revived in 1998 with Lily Savage at the helm – she was hilarious with her ad-libs and naughty jokes. It proved extremely popular, and moved from the BBC to ITV with Paul on a £1m contract! He also got to make a comedy series on the channel called Lily Live!
Paul in Eyes Down
Uncharacteristically, Paul agreed to star in a sitcom because he loved the script so much. The script in question was for Eyes Down, a Liverpool bingo-themed show, in which he played unpleasant manager Ray.
Paul O’Grady’s Orient
After so many years in a fluffy blonde wig and heels, Paul wanted to retire the character of Lily and make a name in his own right. He made a travel series for ITV which saw him travelling across Asia, in Paul O’Grady’s Orient, and then made Paul O’Grady’s America. Neither were particularly well received.
Paul O’Grady Animal Orphans
Paul made a three-part series in 2014 called Animal Orphans that saw him visiting adorable baby animals in Africa. He went on to make two more series. He also made For the Love of Animals.
Paul O'Grady in panto
Paul - as Lily Savage - appeared in all sorts of pantomimes. It became a Christmas tradition.
Paul O’Grady’s career started as the outrageous drag queen character Lily Savage. Hilarious and very naughty, Lily began touring the London drag circuit, making quite the name for herself. Paul was working in pubs at the time and also acted as a compere for other acts, becoming increasingly popular. He eventually quit work to act as Lily full-time, winning awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
He later released videos of his tour and began work on the radio as Lily, on Woman’s Hour and Loose Ends. Lily then made an appearance on Brookside and even presented an episode of Top of the Pops.
Paul O'Grady's Great British Escapes
In 2021, Paul O’Grady was supposed to be in Thailand filming with elephants but, of course, the pandemic put paid to that. However, the Thais’ loss was our gain.
Paul’s came up with a home-grown corker of a series, Paul O’Grady’s Great British Escapes, in which he travelled around his beloved Kent, a county he has called home for the last 20 years. He got to explore what’s on his doorstep and visit places he’s never been to before – plus returning to some favourite haunts.
He also had a crack at activities such as bee-keeping, hop-picking, coppicing in ancient woodland, fishing for leeches on Dungeness beach, seal spotting and flying birds of prey. We also got a small glimpse of his daily life at home with his menagerie of animals. And all done in the inimitable O’Grady style, of course.
Paul O’Grady’s books
Paul wrote a four-part autobiography:
