Television stars, human rights campaigners, the queen consort and animal rights charities have paid tribute to the entertainer Paul O’Grady, who has died aged 67.
O’Grady, who brought one of the first drag acts to television as Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening.
His appearance in drag on popular television shows in the 1990s meant he was seen as a “trailblazer” and “the most important person in British culture for drag”.
The campaigner Peter Tatchell told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that O’Grady was “fierce in his beliefs and principles” and went out of his way to help people.
“He wasn’t one of these people where celebrity went to his head. He was still very down to earth. Whenever someone was in need, Paul O’Grady stepped in to offer help. He was such a kind, generous humanitarian.”
Recalling O’Grady’s politics, Tatchell said: “He was a fierce opponent of the Thatcher government over its attacks upon the LGBT+ community, particularly section 28. And he was appalled by the levels of police harassment that were still going on, right through the 1990s.”
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said Camilla had a special bond with O’Grady and worked closely with him in their support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. She will be sharing her sympathies with O’Grady’s family privately, the palace said.
The royal family’s official Twitter account paid tribute to O’Grady, posting an image of Camilla with the star. It read: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with her majesty in support of Battersea, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories.”
The former host of Blind Date, The Paul O’Grady Show and Blankety Blank was described by friends as someone who stuck up for the underdog – even (especially) if they happened to be canine.
The presenter Carol Vorderman told the BBC that O’Grady was a “massive talent” who “made every part of you feel like you were alive”. She added: “He never judged the vulnerable, never judged the weak, never judged the misunderstood. He fought for them like a lion.”
O’Grady was born in Birkenhead in 1955, moved to London in his 20s and began his career as a social worker in Camden. He was discovered at a club in south London when he stood in for an act that called in sick, playing the drag persona Lily Savage, a loud-mouthed single mother and occasional sex worker. He retired Savage to “a convent in Brittany” in 2004.
O’Grady’s husband, 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.
Portasio, who married O’Grady in a low-key ceremony in 2017, added: “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.”
The comedian and writer Sandi Toksvig said: “Working with Paul O’Grady was one of the greatest pleasures of my life. Funny, fearless and full of rage. The best. The world seems a little less bright.”
The drag artist Danny Beard told BBC Breakfast that O’Grady was a “trailblazer” and “the most important person in British culture for drag, for the queer community”.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who does the job that I do that doesn’t class Paul as an icon,” the winner of the fourth series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK added.
O’Grady’s affection for animals was so great, he once said that given the choice of more sex or money, he would choose a mongoose. He and Portasio shared their Kent farmhouse with four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls.
Last year, he hosted a special episode of For the Love of Dogs, his show on ITV, with Camilla, the queen consort, to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home. The charity’s chief executive, Peter Laurie, said: “Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.”
