Yahoo News Paul O'Grady's final doc leaves viewers mourning 'missed' star
The man behind Lily Savage returned to ITV for Great Elephant Adventure, filmed just months before his death.
What did you miss?
A year after his tragic death at the age of just 67, Paul O'Grady returned to our TV screens on Sunday when the first part of his final documentary — Great Elephant Adventure — aired on ITV.
Viewers were thrilled to see the beloved presenter at work in the telly world again, showcasing his passion for animals. Many fans of the star posted on Twitter to say how much they missed him and had enjoyed the new show.
Who, what and why?
The first part of Great Elephant Adventure saw O'Grady travel to northern Thailand, where thousands of domesticated elephants live. He also spent time in Laos, helping out at sanctuaries and rescue centres along the way.
O'Grady filmed the series in December 2022, just a few months before his passing in March 2023 as a result of sudden cardiac arrhythmia. His death led to an outpouring of grief from across the entertainment industry.
Viewers were deeply moved by his Elephant Adventure documentary, with many commenting about how sorely missed O'Grady was as a presence on our TV screens. One Twitter user suggested that no entertainer has ever been missed as much as him.
Just watching Paul O'Grady For the love of Elephants, cant help but tear up when I listen to his voice, his wit, has ever an "entertainer" been missed more than this man, taken much too soon, broke the mould when they made him 🥹🥹
— Barb Devlin 💙 (@Tuppybun) March 31, 2024
#POGelephants is a wonderful programme and a reminder that Paul O'Grady was just the greatest. What lovely elephants and thank goodness for those great people taking care of them!
— Andrew Waddington (@AndrewVulpes) March 31, 2024
The world is such a sadder worse place without Paul O'Grady. I know he's a celeb and I never met him, but you can tell he was so good hearted. ❤️😪 #POGelephants
— Donna M 📖📚✒️🧬 (@lilmissmorfett) March 31, 2024
Watching Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure. What magnificent creatures and a wonderful human being ❤️🥲 #POGelephants
— Amy (@plainamyjane) March 31, 2024
Claire Barton, who was a close friend of O'Grady and also worked as executive producer on the show, explained that nobody involved had any idea that this would be the star's last programme.
In a statement promoting the show, Barton told Radio Times magazine that O'Grady completed the voiceover work just under two weeks before his death. But the project gave her some great memories of her friend.
She said: "One of my abiding memories is of Paul encircled by a herd of excited mature elephants, mud splattered on his face and clothes, laughing as he was almost knocked to the ground, before being given an elephant's tail hug. 'This is heaven,' he exclaims."
What other tributes to Paul O'Grady were on TV?
ITV marked the anniversary of O'Grady's death on Friday with the feature-length documentary The Life and Death of Lily Savage. The show featured contributions from O'Grady's friends and colleagues, reflecting on his legacy in the worlds of TV, drag, and comedy.
Famous contributors to the emotional tribute documentary included Graham Norton, Julian Clary, Jo Brand, and Sir Ian McKellen. It's still available to stream on ITVX.
Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure continues on Sunday 7 April on ITV1 at 8pm.
Read more:
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Paul O'Grady left incredible sum in will for Battersea Dogs Home
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Watch: Paul O'Grady's daughter used to buy tights for Lily Savage
