Yahoo News Readers remember Paul O'Grady: 'The original tart with a heart'
TV star and presenter Paul O’Grady passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday at the age of 67.
Also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage from which he found fame in the 1990s, the comedian received multiple awards including a TV Bafta and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.
Additionally, Mr O’Grady’s love for animals was well-known; he was an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and he was joined last year by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love of Dogs.
Telegraph readers have joined the rest of the entertainment world in sharing their heartfelt tributes. We invite you to share yours in the comments section below.
‘A genuinely funny, intelligent and compassionate man’
Aelfwynn Erin: “Very sad news. A genuinely funny, intelligent and compassionate man who put so much time and love into his work with animals. He was a brilliant ambassador for Battersea and always a warm, talented and entertaining presenter. RIP Paul.”
‘He made me smile whenever I saw him or heard his voice’
Patricia Blackwell: “Paul came across as a genuinely nice human being. He was gorgeous and made me smile whenever I saw him or heard his voice. A great person who will be sadly missed.
“Sincere condolences to everyone who loved him.”
‘He kept a breath of the gentle pre-elitist world and the music hall in our lives’
Anna Burton: “Incredibly sad news. It feels like the end of an era. O'Grady was really the last mainstream, popular embodiment of so many dying aspects of our culture: the funny unpretentious Northerner who doesn't dumb down to connect with people, genuinely family-friendly and utterly hilarious drag with the Panto touch, kindness, wit, and love of animals. He kept a breath of the gentle pre-elitist world and the music hall in our lives.
“With Paul O'Grady there was always that lovely sense of 'the way it used to be' coming into our homes on a regular basis. An utterly lovely man taken far too soon, but what a well-lived life. 'If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch.'
“Thank you Mr O'Grady and Rest In Peace”
‘He had the whole studio in fits of laughter’
Elizabeth Barber: “Really sad to hear this. I loved watching him in Lily persona with Richard and Judy, he had the whole studio in fits of laughter, and post Lily, his sweet nature and warmth could come to the fore. He’ll be missed by very many. Rest in Peace and Love.”
‘I almost feel I have lost a personal friend’
Madeleine Taylor: “I almost feel I have lost a personal friend - so kind and caring, and loved animals so much. Battersea Dogs Home was the highlight of my afternoons. The dogs will miss him terribly too. My condolences to all his family.”
‘A lot of pets and dogs wagging their tails will now be greeting him again’
Clive Foskett: “A genuine man of the people, always grounded in the reality of life; funny, compassionate, totally unique, and able to communicate directly to any audience. He was already sorely missed from his Radio 2 show.
“A lot of pets and dogs wagging their tails will now be greeting him again, and giving him all the love he deserves. He’ll now be too busy entertaining a new audience, somewhere over the rainbow!”
‘A real character of depth who gave a voice for those who cannot speak’
Susan Johnson: “Devastated! A real character of depth who gave warmth, humour and a voice for those who cannot speak. It is a very sad day.”
‘A great ambassador for humanity’
Gordon Elliott: "One of the nicest, kindest people you could ever wish to meet. He was a great ambassador for humanity, he will be sorely missed."
‘He demonstrated just how big his heart truly was’
Stephanie Hazeldine: “I took my mum to see him as Lily Savage years ago. I had to cover my mother's ears but he was hilarious. The original ‘tart with a heart’ and in later years he demonstrated just how big his heart truly was.
“RIP Paul you will be sadly missed by humans and animals alike. God bless you.”
‘He was my Sunday treat listening to him on Radio 2’
Sand Banked: “I was looking forward to hearing him on Boom radio. This is too sad.
"He made me laugh so much during his Lily Savage days; and he was my Sunday treat listening to him on Radio 2 while preparing tea for my family. A true entertainer who will be sorely missed. Sincere condolences to his family and friends. I will remember him with affection."
‘Everything he did was with gusto and panache’
Louise Jordan: "A funny, talented, compassionate and great man. Everything he did was with gusto and panache. Will be so sorely missed. Go gently lovely Paul O'Grady."
‘The work he did with Battersea Dogs and Cats home was truly fantastic’
Sarah O'Rafferty: “What a shock - truly remarkable, lovely, kind man - the work he did with Battersea Dogs and Cats home was truly fantastic. I loved that show, Paul made it so special. He was brilliant on radio.
“Surreal, feel so very sad, we've lost a great man”
‘I recall over 20 years ago him doing a slot on ‘Richard and Judy’ where he had me in tears of laughter’
Christina Hirst: “This is so sad. I always found him hysterical as Lily Savage and recall over 20 years ago him doing a slot on ‘Richard and Judy’ where he had me in tears of laughter - without any bad language, crudeness or smut - proving he could be incredibly funny with or without the blue humour.
“He did so much to raise awareness of the plight of abandoned and abused dogs. As someone who has spent 15 years taking on the un-adoptable pooches, his death will be acutely felt by the rescuer.
“I hope that someone high profile can take up where he has sadly left off. RIP Paul, a truly funny and lovely man.”
