The sad passing of Paul O’Grady has meant that dozens of heart-warming and hilarious stories about the celeb have been aired and shared. However, a radio producer and long-time friend of the iconic star has revealed a sad fact during a tribute to Paul's life.
When news of the nation's favourite dog-loving presenter and comedian broke, there was an outpouring of love. From his drag act persona, Lily Savage, to game show host, writer and radio broadcaster, Paul O'Grady had done it all and he'd amassed hundreds of fans along the way.
Producer, Malcolm Prince, recalled their last hours together and 67 year-old's excitement about his show on Boom Radio. But he also shared how Paul had been left utterly disappointed with the way he was treated by BBC Radio 2 bosses in the end.
Discussing his fond memories, Malcolm said: "I became his straight man; we would have on-air conversations and I even got my own microphone. Another presenter might not have wanted a producer to do that, but Paul knew I could be the butt of the joke and I could poke him to tell him other stories."
He added: "I’ve worked with a lot of presenters, and he was among the most generous of them.”
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Malcolm went on to reveal that Paul was left 'so disappointed' by the way he was treated by BBC Radio 2 bosses when he announced that his show would be coming to an end. According to the Mirror, despite giving years of his life to the radio station, Malcolm revealed that Paul left without anyone organising a leaving party or even a goodbye hamper.
Paul's producer went on to admit that the much-loved comedian, writer, and TV star had only recently confessed that Radio 2 'wasn't what it was' when he first joined over 14 years ago.
“When Radio 2 told us the show was coming to an end, he was so disappointed with the way he was treated. There was no hamper or leaving party, or any of that," Malcolm told Radio times. "He told me recently that Radio 2 wasn’t what it was when he joined," he added.
The revelation comes after BBC Radio 2 was criticised for its treatment of Paul after sharing a tribute to the much loved broadcaster.
Paul hosted an extremely popular show on the station for 14 years prior to his departure from the BBC in August, with the TV star leaving as he wasn't happy with sharing his slot with comedian Rob Beckett.
After Paul's unexpected death, BBC came under fire from Paul's fans after posting a black and white photo of the Blankety Blank host, and writing on Twitter : "We're incredibly saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Paul O'Grady. Paul was a brilliant broadcaster and incredible comedian. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We’ll miss you Paul.
One listener responded: "Crocodile tears from a station who treated him abominably. His Sunday night audience loved him, so what did you do, in the name of "progress"? Cut his broadcast time and make it impossible for him to stay."
Another said: "You didn't think he was 'brilliant' when you messed him around and contributed to him leaving the station, just like you did with a few others. RIP Paul."
Next month the Lily Savage icon and his long-time producer Malcolm were set to start new jobs at Boom Radio, with a regular Sunday slot.
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