Presenter and comedia Paul O’Grady has died after his partner issued a statement sharing that the 67-year-old had died “peacefully but unexpectedly”. Partner Andre Portasio said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.”
O’Grady was born in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, Merseyside, in 1955, to a mother who’s maiden name was Savage – which is believed to have inspired his famous drag act.
He began performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s. The drag queen later performed in a solo show that ran for eight years at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, and made a name by speaking out about LGBT issues.
Later he hosted chat show The Lily Savage Show for the BBC for a short run in 1997, before turning his hand to hosting a revived version of gameshow Blankety Blank, which remained on air until 2002.
He later hosted teatime programme The Paul O’Grady Show on ITV from 2004 to 2005, before moving with it to Channel 4.
Throughout his career O’Grady won a TV Bafta, British Comedy Award and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.
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