Paul O’Grady death: Queen Consort leads tributes to ‘brilliant’ comedian and ‘fearless’ campaigner
The Queen Consort has said she is “deeply saddened” at the death of Paul O’Grady after the TV star died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening.
Camilla said his “warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many”, according to Palace sources, who added she would be sharing her sympathies with the star’s family privately in due course.
They added that she had a special bond with O’Grady and worked closely with him in their support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The Royal Family’s official Twitter account paid tribute to O’Grady, posting an image of Camilla with the star.
It read: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of @Battersea_, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories.”
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Paul O’Grady: Funny and serious
Long-time friend and producer, Malcolm Prince, said he had visited O’Grady at his home only yesterday.
“I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up. Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing smiling and full of life. He was looking forward to so many new projects,” he said.
“And now he’s gone I can’t believe it. We have lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives.”
O’Grady’s career spanned more than 30 years, during which he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and For The Love Of Dogs
ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly described O’Grady as “a really special man”.
She said he was “funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise” and “will be sorely missed”.
Commenting on O’Grady’s affectionate nature towards animals, she added: “I always think dogs are the best judge of character and they ADORED him.”
Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon said O’Grady was “a lovely, warm and caring man with a lightning fast and devastating wit”. “What terrible news,” he added.
Amanda Holden described O’Grady as “brilliantly opinionated, searingly sharp and very funny”.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell echoed their sentiments, highlighting how much O’Grady contributed to the LGBT+ voice.
Mr Tatchell said: “Paul wasn’t just a brilliant comedian and broadcast personality but a much-admired campaigner for LGBT+ equality and animal rights.”
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis tweeted: “Quite shocked and saddened to wake up to the news of Paul O’Grady passing. A funny man, with incredibly quick wit, who made millions laugh.”
“Already giving them raucous, ripping up the rulebook, mischief making, calling it out, loving hell in heaven,” wrote TV presenter Carol Vorderman.
“Paul, what are we meant to do without you?”
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home described O’Grady as a “devoted animal lover” and a “champion for the underdog”.
The organisation, for which the TV star was an ambassador, praised his “razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth”.
The late Queen with Paul O’Grady at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London in 2015
Its chief executive Peter Laurie said: “Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.”
Paul O’Grady being handed an OBE by then Prince Charles in 2008
Comedian Sooz Kempner said: “We all grew up watching Lily Savage (I can remember watching her on The Big Breakfast and my mum proper laughing) but it’s only in more recent years I realised what an incredible life Paul had had. What a loss!”
Actor John Barrowman tweeted: “I am totally shocked and sad to hear the awful news that Paul O’Grady has died. An awesome talent stretching decades. From watching him as Lily Savage at the Vauxhall Tavern to sitting with him laughing backstage at West End Bares to being a guest on his @itv Paul O’Grady show…”
Paul O’Grady with rescue dogs at London’s Battersea Park
TV presenter Les Dennis said O’Grady was “a true comedy great”, adding his “twinkly, mischievous presence” would be missed.
Fellow broadcaster Vernon Kay said O’Grady was “always a joy to be around” and described the star as “one of the best”.
Meanwhile, presenter Toby Anstis said O’Grady was “hugely talented” and “the warmest, loveliest man”.
“Loved by so many, gone too soon,” he added.
Danny Beard, winner of the fourth series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, said O’Grady was “the most important person in British culture for drag”.
“I don’t think there’s anyone who does the job that I do that doesn’t class Paul as an icon,” Beard told BBC Breakfast.
O’Grady next to a costume of his alter ego Lily Savage at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery
“Paul was a trailblazer, they were on telly just after the AIDS crisis.
“They’ve been the most important person, I think, in British culture for drag, for the queer community.
“This is a really sad loss today.”
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg becomes co-owner and investor of Swansea football club saying it’s ‘an underdog just like me’
Police are taking no further action over Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury.
Officers said they had investigated “comments about a forthcoming court case made during Kneecap’s performance” at the festival on 28 June.
However, after Crown Prosecution Service advice, they decided there is not enough evidence “to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence”.
The Avon & Somerset force started investigating the Irish group’s show last month, as well as comments by punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It said they were looking at a possible public order incident.
Police said on Friday that the investigation into Bob Vylan’s performance was ongoing.
The London duo were widely criticised – and caused a BBC crisis – after leading on-stage chants of “death to the IDF” (Israel Defence Forces).
Kneecap’s Liam Og O Hannaidh appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June. Pic: PA
Kneecap posted a photograph on Instagram, which the group said was an email from police announcing the case was being dropped.
They said their packed Glastonbury gig was a “celebration of love and solidarity” and reporting used “wildly misleading headlines”.
Fears over what Kneecap might do or say during the performance had prompted the BBC not to show it live.
The group said: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close… yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”
“There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts,” they added.
The police statement on Friday said they had informed Kneecap of their decision to drop the case.
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One of the group’s members appeared in court in June charged with a terror offence.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, at a gig last year.
He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Entertainment
Tomorrowland: ‘Devastating’ blaze destroys main stage at major festival – two days before it was due to begin
A huge fire has destroyed the main stage of a major festival in Belgium – two days before it was due to begin.
Tomorrowland is a dance music event as big as Glastonbury – and David Guetta was due to perform.
Footage showed flames and thick plumes of black smoke engulfing the stage and spreading to nearby woodland on Wednesday.
The fire gutted the main stage
Fire crews attempt to bring the blaze under control
The annual festival in the town of Boom, north of Brussels, is one of the biggest in Europe and attracts about 400,000 people over two consecutive weekends.
It is famous for its immersive and elaborate designs and attracts big names within dance music – including Guetta, best known for tracks When Love Takes Over and Titanium.
Dutch DJs Martin Garrix and Charlotte de Witte were also due to perform, along with the likes of Swedish House Mafia, Eric Prydz and Alok.
Black smoke could be seen rising into the sky
The festival’s website described the creative elements which went into the elaborate main stage.
The theme, described as Orbyz, was “set in a magical universe made entirely out of ice” and “full of mythical creatures”.
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Organisers said no one was injured in the blaze but confirmed “our beloved main stage has been severely damaged”, adding they were “devastated”.
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen added: “We received some truly terrible news today. A fire broke out on the Tomorrowland site … and our main stage was essentially destroyed there, which is truly awful.
“That’s a stage that took years to build, with so much love and passion. So I think a lot of people are devastated.”
Spokesperson Debby Wilmsen told reporters ‘a lot of people are devastated’
Despite the fire, Tomorrowland organisers said they were still expecting 38,000 festivalgoers at DreamVille, the event’s campsite.
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