Paul O’Grady ‘didn’t listen’ where his health was concerned, says pal

Paul O’Grady died last week at the age of 67 sparking an outpouring of grief among fans and friends of the Lily Savage star alike.

Now, a friend of the late TV presenter has claimed he “didn’t listen” when it came to his health despite having suffered multiple heart attacks and a severe bout of Covid in recent years.

Actor Christopher Biggins has spoken out on his late friend’s health, as he candidly revealed the beloved comedian was “like a teenager”.

Christopher said: “Paul was like a teenager as far as his health was concerned — he didn’t listen.

“About 15 years ago we were staying with Cilla [Black] in Spain. Paul had his heart problems already and had been told not to smoke or indulge in alcohol too much.

“That was a stupid thing to tell Paul,” Christopher added in an interview with The Sun.

He continued: “One evening Cilla and I were down in the kitchen having a natter when we smelt smoke. She told me to go upstairs and tell him to stop. I felt like the matron from the Carry On films when I went into his bedroom and said, ‘Paul, you’re smoking’. He looked at me and said, ‘No, I’m not’.”

Earlier this year, Paul opened up about the gruelling Covid battle that left him “wheezing” and unable to work for two months last year, having previously suffered three heart attacks and kidney failure.

Paul found out he was battling the effects of Covid after he went to his heart doctor to perform tests and was diagnosed as a “recovering Covid victim” following an X-ray scan.

The presenter was struck by symptoms after filming the second series of Sally Lindsay’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries in Malta.

Paul recalled: “I managed to escape Covid until last year and then I caught it. I didn’t half get it; I was really ill.

“It wiped me out, I was shocked at how bad I was. I [took] a good two months getting over it. My breath had gone. I’d go out to feed the pigs and I’d have to sit down two or three times on my way there, wheezing.”

Depleted of energy, the 67-year-old spent the summer recovering at his Kent farm.

“All I did was sleep. I’d wake up, go downstairs and sit on the couch and then pass out for another four hours,” explained Paul.