29/03/2023
Tributes have been pouring on for the comic genius and gay hero Paul O’Grady MBE, who has passed on at the age of sixty seven. He passed "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, his partner Andre Portasio said in a statement. The BBC News Channel notes that O’Grady began performing on the gay cabaret circuit with his drag queen persona Lily Savage during the nineteen seventies, before breaking through to mainstream success in the nineties. He presented the hit quiz programme “Blankety Blank” before retiring Savage and going on to host television programmes as himself. Mr O’Grady was an advocate for animal welfare and presented the long running Channel Four series “For the Love of Dogs”, which followed the work of Battersea Dogs Home. Mr Portasio said in his statement: “We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss. 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.”
