{"id":31498,"date":"2023-03-29T10:11:25","date_gmt":"2023-03-29T08:11:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1808220"},"modified":"2023-03-29T10:41:07","modified_gmt":"2023-03-29T08:41:07","slug":"paul-ogrady-beloved-presenter-and-comedian-dies-aged-67","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/paul-ogrady-beloved-presenter-and-comedian-dies-aged-67\/","title":{"rendered":"Paul O\u2019Grady \u2013 beloved presenter and comedian \u2013 dies, aged 67"},"content":{"rendered":"

O’Grady was known for his long and distinguished career as a TV and radio host, as well as for drag alter ego Lily Savage. <\/p>

By Morgan Jeffery\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 29 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Paul O\u2019Grady has died, aged 67.<\/p>\n

The beloved presenter and comedian passed away \u201cunexpectedly but peacefully\u201d on Tuesday (28th March), his husband Andre Portasio said in a statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening,\u201d said Portasio.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Paul O\u2019Grady at the National Television Awards in 2018<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Born in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, Merseyside, in 1955, O\u2019Grady first rose to fame performing as his drag alter ego\u00a0Lily Savage in the 1970s.<\/p>\n

As Lily, O\u2019Grady hosted chat show\u00a0The Lily Savage Show for the BBC in 1997, followed by a revival of gameshow Blankety Blank, which aired first on BBC One from 1997 to 1999 and again on ITV from 2001 to 2002.<\/p>\n

He later hosted teatime chat show The Paul O\u2019Grady Show \u2013 first on ITV from 2004 to 2005, then on Channel 4 from 2006 until 2009, and again on ITV between 2013 and 2015 \u2013 as well as a 2017 revival of Blind Date on Channel 5, taking the reins as host from close friend Cilla Black.<\/p>\n

From 2009 to 2022, O\u2019Grady also fronted a radio show broadcast in the Sunday teatime slot on BBC Radio 2.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Grady was known as a devoted animal lover, launching factual series For The Love of Dogs on ITV in 2012 which followed the staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador. One of his final TV appearances was in a special one-off episode of the series last year, appearing alongside Camilla, Queen Consort.<\/p>\n

Throughout his long and distinguished career in entertainment, O\u2019Grady won a\u00a0TV BAFTA, a British Comedy Award and a National Television Award and, in 2008,\u00a0was made an MBE in the Queen\u2019s Birthday Honours for services to entertainment.<\/p>\n

Notable figures to have paid tribute to O\u2019Grady include Lorraine Kelly, who tweeted<\/a>: \u201cSuch sad news. Paul O\u2019Grady \u2013 funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise. Will be sorely missed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such sad news. Paul O\u2019Grady – funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise. Will be sorely missed. A really special man.<\/p>\u2014 Lorraine (@reallorraine) March 29, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>