A petition calling for a statue of Paul O'Grady to be put up in his hometown has now attracted more than 100,000 signatures - leading to the launch of a crowdfunding appeal to pay for it. The TV presenter and comedian, born in Birkenhead on the Wirral, Merseyside, died aged 67 last week and fans want a permanent memorial to be built.
The petition was set up by Kieran Gabriel, who said: "Paul O'Grady passed away suddenly on March 28th and it only feels right to honour the life of such a great human being by immortalising him in statue form, in his hometown of Birkenhead."
Kieran referenced O'Grady's drag queen persona Lily Savage, as well as his years hosting ITV's For The Love of Dogs, which focused on pets looking for new homes at Battersea. "Paul has left a huge legacy with his trailblazing work as a drag artist, social and political causes, LGBT rights and of course, his love of animals," said Kieran, who suggested the memorial could be similar to one at Liverpool’s Cavern Club honouring the late entertainer Cilla Black.
