Paul O'Grady's sign-off from his final BBC Radio 2 show is being remembered following his 'unexpected' death at 67. The TV presenter and comedian's partner Andre Portasio confirmed the tragic news in a statement.
He said that the TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening (March 28). Mr Portasio said in his statement: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
"We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss. 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."
READ MORE: Tributes pour in for TV star Paul O'Grady following his 'unexpected' death aged 67
During his career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
O’Grady took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017. Last year he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador.
In August 2022, he presented his final BBC Radio 2 show having hosted the Sunday afternoon programme for nearly 14 years. But O’Grady had been set to return to the airwaves next month to host a one-off Easter Sunday radio show on Boom Radio.
During his last show on Radio 2, O'Grady, who was currently appearing on stage as Miss Hannigan in Annie, reflected on his time in the hot seat to his producer Malcolm Prince. "This is the last Sunday Paul O’Grady show here on Radio 2 ever. It’s hard to say this, Malcolm, because it’s been almost 14 years, hasn’t it?" he said at the time.
"Do you know this is one of the longest jobs I’ve ever held down. I only came to do a few hours for Elaine Paige and look what happened."
He continued: "Anyway, I always used to say I was running from the building and there was a great big bubble that would catch me on Oxford Street, and bring me back like a prisoner, but it’s not today and I can run free."
O'Grady then thanked his listeners for tuning in and getting involved over the years. He also thanked his producer, saying: “I really appreciate it because, let’s face it, it wouldn’t have been the same without you, would it?"
After playing his last song, Friends by Bette Midler, he added: "From all of us here, from me and from Malcolm and everybody, thank you for tuning in these past 546 programmes. So you look after yourselves, stay safe and well. Ta-ra everyone."
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