A petition calling for Paul O’Grady to be “immortalised” as a statue in his hometown of Birkenhead has amassed over 90,000 signatures following the beloved entertainer’s shock death last week.
The change.org appeal has been set up by fan Kieran Gabriel, who praises the late Lily Savage star for his lifetime of service to animals, LGBT rights and social causes and believes that a stone-carved tribute in the place it all started would be only fitting.
Mr Gabriel wrote on the petition page: “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.
“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.
“This is a petition to the Wirral Council, who must surely take stock of the huge outpouring of love in the wake of Paul’s passing. Liverpool has Cilla; Birkenhead deserves Paul.”
At the time of writing, the petition has received 95,000 signatures and counting.
O’Grady died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on March 28. In a statement announcing O’Grady’s death, his husband Andre Portasio said: “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.”
His final TV appearance in the upcoming series 11 of For The Love of Dogs is due to begin airing on ITV from April 13.
