Coronation Street legend Sally Lindsay paid an emotional tribute to her friend Paul O'Grady as she appeared on This Morning following news of his death, aged 67. The TV star and comedian died 'unexpectedly', his partner confirmed in the early hours of Wednesday morning (March 29).
Andre Portasio said that O'Grady, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening (March 28). Tributes have since been flooding from famous faces and fans alike while also many of the daytime show speaking to those who knew Paul.
On This Morning, Holly Willoughby and her new co-host Joel Dommett were re-joined by Vanessa Feltz, who had earlier shared her thoughts and memories following Paul's passing, as they hosted a phone-in for viewers to get in touch. "There have been so many," Vanessa revealed. "The lines have been aflame with people just wanting to say how wonderful he was."
READ MORE: ITV shares bittersweet news on For The Love of Dogs as they release statement on "shocking" death of Paul O'Grady
Holly then went on to introduce Sally. "We are going to check in with one of Paul's closest friends now, Sally Lindsay," she said before adding to their guest, who appeared via video link from south east London: "We're all feeling it, I can't imagine how you are because you were friends for a long time."
The actress was instantly overcome with emotion as she said: "It's quite a shock this morning." She then shared why she wanted to appear on the ITV programme as she continued: "I am with you because I know he would have said if you got anyone else or anyone he didn't know, he'd have said, 'What have you got her on for, I can't sand her!'
"And that's why I am here. I'd rather not be, that's for sure. It was a big shock and everyone is devastated." Joel shared how Sally and Paul met during her Corrie days as she recalled: "He started his daytime show, which was wonderful, so I must have had 40 'Busters' by the end of it because I was always on. We just got on really well and we had projects together..."
But as she was speaking, Sally had to brush off a mistake by the show as they flashed a picture on-screen of Paul on his ITV chat show with former EastEnders star Jo Joyner as a guest. "That's Jo Joyer, not me!" Sally said as Holly was quick to reply: "Sorry about that." Sally laughed it off and said everyone 'always gets us mixed up' before adding; "That's historical. He [Paul] would have loved that."
"That was the beginning of not just a working relationship but a real friendship..." Holly continued before Sally revealed his nickname for her dog was 'mop'. "We got a new project together very recently and the last time I spoke to him was last Thursday and he had to go because one of his pigs was ill. The vet was knocking on the door so that was the last time I spoke to him. I never thought it was he last time, you never do, do you? But what I want to say about Paul, he was a whirlwind. He was funny, intelligent, there was no one like him. And he was a social warrior.
"He couldn't bare what was going on at the moment with the working classes and the cost of living and he used to be incandescent about it. He never lost his roots like that. He was always a very real man but also a histerically funny man. You'd go out for dinner with him and you'd be exhausted from laughing so much."
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