Paul O'Grady shot to fame for his drag Lily Savage character, yet the much-loved star said he there is "not enough cash on earth" to revive her because she is not right for the modern day.
The comedian-turned-presenter died aged 67 on Tuesday night, "unexpectedly but peacefully" according to his husband Andre Portasio.
Paul's alter ego Lily became a staple of 1990s TV before she hung up her heels in 2004.
With 20 years on screens, Lily made memorable appearances on celebrity game show Blankety Blank and multiple late-night specials including An Evening With Lily Savage.
Lily became a British icon, known for tongue-in-cheek humour that left viewers floored with its scandalous nature.
Many fans begged for her return, but Paul constantly refused to take up the offer.
Speaking to the Mirror, he said: "People say to me, ‘Would you do Lily again?’ And I say, ‘Good God no, I wouldn’t last five minutes’.
“It’s just the things that she comes out with. It’s a different time now. They probably wouldn’t like the inference that she was a lady of the night — she’d have to say she was a sex worker or just, ‘Worked in hospitality'."
He added: "There’s not enough cash on earth to get me dragged up. God no. It’s always been, ‘Why don’t you be Lily Savage again?’ Well, because one, I’m too old.
"And two, I couldn’t be bothered. I’ve moved on. At the time I thoroughly enjoyed it but I’ve moved on. Even in panto, I wouldn’t fancy it."
Tributes have been flooding in for Paul from celebrities and fans alike.
Winner of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Danny Beard appeared on BBC Breakfast following the sad news where he thanked Paul for all he had done for the queer community and for him himself.
He said: "I think Paul changed people's minds on what gay people wear, on what drag queens wear and people fell in love with the person behind the persona, which became later in Paul's life just as important as Lily.
"So, it goes unsaid the work that Paul's done for the queer community, for me personally and for many other little gay boys who want to put a dress on."
He added: "He's been the most important person I think in British culture for drag, for the queer community, so this is a real sad loss today."
