Susanna Reid appeared to be holding back her emotions as she spoke of Paul O'Grady's death on Good Morning Britain. The news broke in the early hours of Wednesday (March 29) that the TV presenter and comedian has died at the age of 67.
His heartbroken partner Andre Portasio confirmed the shocking news in a statement, saying O'Grady, who was 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.
READ MORE: Tributes pour in for TV star Paul O'Grady following his 'unexpected' death aged 67
"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."
Tributes have been pouring in for the entertainer, who was also much-loved for his support as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home which inspired his ITV series For the Love of Dogs. ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly described O’Grady as "a really special man" in an online tribute.
"Such sad news. Paul O’Grady – funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise,” she said. "Will be sorely missed. A really special man." Carol Vorderman lamented the loss of O’Grady on Twitter. "Paul O’Grady. Already giving them raucous, ripping up the rulebook, mischief making, calling it out, loving hell in heaven,” she wrote before adding: "Paul, what are we meant to do without you?"
Vernon Kay said O’Grady was "always a joy to be around" and described the presenter as "one of the best" on social media. "Paul O’Grady was one of the nicest and kindest people I’ve ever met,” he tweeted. "Always a joy to be around and obviously, so much fun. He will be missed. Telly and friends have lost one of the best….RIP."
Susanna and co-host Martin Lewis opened Wednesday's Good Morning Britain with tributes to O'Grady. Money Saving Expert Martin said: "It was a shock to find out this morning, he feels very young." He added: "Paul was a British institution who kept television viewers laughing for more than three decades.
"He was also a leading campaigner for animal rights." Later, in a separate segment, Susanna added: "He was just so funny, and so compassionate and so loving. And you just knew he would go into Battersea Dogs Home week after week and have to resist the urge to add to his menagerie [of animals]."
GMB's entertainment editor Richard Arnold added: "You never felt you were on the raw end of his wit - it was done with so much generosity and compassion." Susanna then appeared to be holding back tears as she said: "Your tributes throughout the morning - much missed."
It came after Susanna comforted Richard as he became emotional paying tribute to his friend. "As you said at the top of the show, Martin, it's almost like laughter through tears," he began.
"Even at this early stage because just looking back, there are so many fond memories and I've appeared with Paul on several shows. I first met him back in 1990 and he was dressed as Lady Savage."
He continued: "I remember I was sat on the floor one day during the run and I was threading ticket stubs. And all I heard was this voice go, 'You alright?' and I looked up and of course, there was this handsome man standing there but I only ever saw Paul as Lily. And I think it's impossible really to overestimate what a trailblazer he was because Lily, of course, was a persona that became famous on the drag circuit in South London.
And you idolised him as a gay man actually because trailblazer really doesn't do justice and then, of course, he broke into the mainstream broadcasting landscape." As a clip of some of Paul's career highlights played, Richard said: "And the rest as we've seen, there is the history of man with glitter and wit coursing through his veins. Humour with such heart."
Richard went on to say: "I have a gravelly voice this morning clearly from shock." Later on, Susanna leaned in to comfort the entertainment editor over losing his friend. "Richard you know, we're sorry for your loss as well," she told him. "You know, it's just awful, you're involved in the news, you're involved in covering stories, but when it's someone that you know..." to which Richard admitted: "It does feel very close to home."
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