Amanda Holden found herself in hot water with some fans after describing the late Paul O'Grady as 'not woke'. The Heart breakfast presenter has been among the celebrities paying tribute to the entertainer after his sudden death earlier this week.
Amanda - who appeared alongside Paul on a special episode of his For the Love of Dogs show - shared an Instagram post remembering him and also paid her respects on her radio show with co-host Jamie Theakston. Discussing his death live on air on Wednesday morning, she said she was "completely shocked".
She added: "Do you know what I loved about him? He was not woke in any way. He had massive opinions on everything, which I love people like that." She added: "Really really funny, very witty. Everything that came out of his mouth was brilliant".
However some listeners felt Amanda chose the wrong words, however well-intentioned, the Daily Record reports. The Collins Dictionary describes 'woke' as someone who is "very aware of social and political unfairness" and fans pointed out that Paul was an outspoken supporter of LGBT+ causes and open about his political beliefs and criticism of the Conservative Government.
On Twitter, MutualAidLiker wrote: "Amanda Holden on Paul O'Grady: 'He didn't have a woke bone in his body'. That would be the drag artist, AIDS campaigner, LGBTQ+ hero and anti-austerity critic Paul O'Grady. Ffs." The user later added: "Thinking a bit more on what AH [Amanda Holden] said and it could be that cos Paul swore and had strong opinions she thinks that's somehow not being 'woke'?
"Thing is, whenever he took aim, he punched up and from what I've learned he never forgot the struggles of his class and would help others."
Another listener, MarkGComedyUK, tweeted: "When paying tribute to Paul O’Grady during her Heart breakfast show, Amanda Holden said that he “didn’t have a woke bone in his body”. I can’t work out whether she doesn’t know what woke means, or simply doesn’t know who Paul O’Grady is."
FreddieBailey96 said: "Amanda Holden on Paul O'Grady: "He didn't have a woke bone in his body" She either doesn’t know what woke means or doesn’t know who Paul O’Grady is and what he stood for." MxDarren_ also called Amanda out, writing: "Ma’am, Paul was the wokest of woke. The man was a queer activist, trailblazer and unapologetic drag queen on prime time TV when being gay was seen as dirty. What about that isn’t woke @AmandaHolden?"
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Maredparry added: "Amanda Holden’s “favourite thing about Paul O’Grady” being that he “wasn’t woke” has absolutely sent me. Is she talking about the same Paul O’Grady? Drag queen, queer icon, supporter of trans rights, anti-austerity king Paul O’Grady? Or does she just not know what woke means?"
However some came to Amanda's defence, pointing out that she knew Paul well in their shared role as Battersea Dogs Home ambassadors.
andy_bayes said: "I think she means he wasn't afraid to offend. Which is fair enough." And Martynw34 said: "I do understand the word woke of course i do, she knew him better than any of us ever did."
Paul had suggested that his life was 'woke' during an interview a few years ago. He told the Sun in 2020: "I'm married to a ballet dancer, I've got a daughter, two grandkids and was married to a Portuguese lesbian barmaid. It doesn't get much more woke."
Amanda has not yet addressed the criticism. She shared a tribute on Instagram on Wednesday morning featuring a photo of the two smiling at the camera. She wrote: "Woken up to this sad, sad news. I loved Paul. He was brilliantly opinionated, searingly sharp and very funny.. I loved our conversations ..I can’t quite believe it. Thoughts with Andre and their family."
