Susanna Reid pays emotional tribute to Paul O'Grady

Susanna Reid paid a teary tribute to Paul O'Grady on Good Morning Britain.

Co-hosting the breakfast show with Martin Lewis, Reid looked tearful as she discussed the news of the comedian and broadcaster's sudden death at the age of 67.

Reid said: "We’re going to remember Paul O’Grady throughout the morning of course," before Lewis added "The thing about Paul, and I hope people forgive me for saying this.

Read more: How Paul O'Grady's Lily Savage became a gamechanging trailblazer

"You don’t know whether to smile or be sad right now, I’m torn between those two emotions because he was such a funny man and when you think about him it makes you smile he was funny, and then you remember he’s gone."

Reid continued: "You can acknowledge the humour and the love and compassion that he brought at the same time, as we mourn his loss, far too early."

The presenter then recalled Grady's appearance on Good Morning Britain to discuss his health after having three heart attacks in 12 years.

Reid said: "We interviewed him on the sofa about having a heart attack, cardiac arrest and leaving it before telling a doctor, almost like he didn’t want to bother anybody about it."

Good Morning Britain featured a number of guests on to talk about Grady including Richard Arnold who recalled the first time he met the comedian.

The broadcaster said: "Back in 1990, he was dressed as Lily Savage in a frock selling ice creams outside a venue, that I was the front of house manager for.

"I looked up, and of course it was this handsome man standing there, but I’d only ever seen Paul as Lily. I think it’s impossible to overestimate what a trailblazer he was."

The former Blind Date host has also been remembered by a number of other stars including Elton John, Russell T Davies and the Royal Family.