Paul O’Grady: TV, radio presenter and animal rights advocate has died aged 67 ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’

Beloved television, radio presenter and awareness campaigner Paul O’Grady has died aged 67, his partner has announced. O’Grady, 67, had died “unexpectedly but peacefully” in his sleep, partner Andre Portasio revealed in a 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."

O’Grady made his name as Lily Savage on the drag queen circuits of London in the 1980s, cleaning up his act to transition into mainstream television appearances on The Big Breakfast and hosting the 90s BBC revival of Blankety Blank.

Such was the importance of O’Grady, much like Julian Clary, for LGBTQIA+ visibility on television in an era where the normalisation of cross-dressing moved away from Pantomime and into a respected, and ultimately celebrated expression of personal freedom.

Wanting to take on some different roles however, O’Grady retired the Lily Savage 2002 commenting that the humour that brought Lily Savage to the proverbial ball wouldn’t work by today’s standards. But he evolved away from the character and became a household name through his talk show The Paul O’Grady Show for Channel 4 - this led him to win the British Academy Television Awards and British Comedy Award for best entertainment programme in 2005.

He would also be a host on BBC Radio 2 from 2009 until leaving the broadcaster in 2022 citing his unhappiness having to now share a slot with Rob Beckett. He was set to make his debut on Boom Radio shortly before his death, having presented a Christmas special for the broadcaster similar to his BBC Radio 2 last year. 

But despite what platform he would be featured on, he always used it as a measure to raise awareness for dog welfare, one of his biggest passions in life. In 2012, O'Grady became an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home following his series For the Love of Dogs, which was filmed in the home. That series earned the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards in 2018 and the award for Outstanding Contribution to Animal Welfare at the RSPCA's Animal Hero Awards in September 2016.

O'Grady leaves behind his daughter Sharon, who he had with close friend Diane Jansen in 1974, as well as two grandchildren.