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TV star and comedian Paul O’Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said.

In a statement, he said the star, known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening.

The Tranmere-born presenter hosted a number of game shows, including Blankety Blank in the late 90s under the guise of Savage.

His career spanned more than 30 years, during which he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and For The Love Of Dogs.

He also featured on TV shows such as Dr Who and Holby City.

File photo dated 09/11/98 of Paul O'Grady, as Lily Savage, during a photocall on Hyde Park, London, where it was announced that he was to play Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie on stage in London. TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said. The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said. Issue date
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He started off as Lily Savage, which became an integral part of his career
EDITORIAL USE ONLY File photo dated 07/05/13 of Paul O'Grady with rescue dogs Razor a German Shepherd, Moose a Rottweiler and Dodger a Terrier at London's Battersea Park.
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Paul O’Grady with rescue dogs at London’s Battersea Park

Mr Portasio, who married O’Grady in 2017, 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.

“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.”

paul o'grady and partner
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Paul O’Grady and Andre Portasio married in 2017
File photo dated 17/03/15 of Queen Elizabeth II looking at a Corgi as Paul O'Grady looks on during a visit to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London.
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Queen Elizabeth II with Paul O’Grady at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London in 2015

In 2012, O’Grady spoke about his health after having had two heart attacks.

He said following the publication of his third book: “The worst thing you can do is to sit and fret.

“I take tablets and have check-ups every eight months when they put me on the treadmill. I say to them, ‘Heart attack or not, I’m hopeless on treadmills!'”

Both his parents died young from heart problems – his father when O’Grady was in his late teens and his mother, whose maiden name was Savage, when he was 33.

The name is believed to have inspired his famous drag alter ego who helped propel him to mainstream success.

File photo dated 16/10/08 of Paul O'Grady being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the then Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), at Buckingham Palace, central London.
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Paul O’Grady being handed an OBE by then Prince Charles in 2008

‘We have lost a unique talent’

Long-time friend and producer, Malcolm Prince, offered his tribute to O’Grady having visited him at his home only yesterday.

Mr Prince said: “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.

“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.

“My heart goes out to Andre, Paul’s family, and friends. Oh how I’ll miss him.”

‘He made millions laugh’: Tributes pour in for O’Grady

File photo dated 21/12/04 of Paul O'Grady performing as Lily Savage, as the Wicked Queen, in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs -at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London. TV presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67, his partner Andre Portasio has said. The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said. Issue date: Wednesday March 29, 2023.

The rise of Paul O’Grady

He began his career as Lily Savage in the 1970s and the act later gained traction at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern cabaret club, where he was a prominent advocate of LGBT issues.

The Savage persona propelled him to TV and radio whilst he remained in character, and he took over as The Big Breakfast presenter in 1995.

Blankety Blank, which ran until 2002, would showcase his dry humour.

Comedy chat shows would follow with The Paul O’Grady Show in 2004, and Paul O’Grady Live in 2010, which featured guests like Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones and Michael McIntyre.

The presenter was honoured with an MBE for services to entertainment in 2008, adding to a list of achievements including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O’Grady Show.

Last year O’Grady commemorated 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home with the Queen Consort in a special episode of For The Love Of Dogs.

File photo dated 04/11/11 of Paul O'Grady standing next to a former costume of his alter ego Lily Savage at Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery, where it was appearing as part of the Savage Style: Costumes from Lily's Wardrobe exhibition.
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Paul O’Grady standing next to a former costume of his alter ego Lily Savage at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery in 2011

Further tributes have poured in for the much-loved comedian.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “Paul wasn’t just a brilliant comedian and broadcast personality but a much-admired campaigner for LGBT+ equality and animal rights.”

ITV’s Lorraine Kelly described him as “a really special man” and “funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise”.

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Kelly Rowland responds to row with female security guard on Cannes Film Festival red carpet

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Kelly Rowland responds to row with female security guard on Cannes Film Festival red carpet

Kelly Rowland says she was treated differently to other women on the Cannes red carpet, and an apparent dispute with a female security guard came about after she “stood her ground”.

A viral video shows the former Destiny’s Child star entering into what looked like a heated debate with a member of security staff while walking up the stairs to the theatre at the premiere of the film Marcello Mio.

Rowland on the red carpet ahead of the altercation. Pic: Reuters
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Rowland on the red carpet ahead of the altercation. Pic: Reuters

Rowland went on to speak about the incident at the amfAR gala in Cannes, which saw Hollywood A-listers Demi Moore and Cher among the stars supporting fundraising for AIDS research.

The 43-year-old singer said other women attended the event “who did not quite look like me and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off”.

The apparent altercation happened while posing for pictures in a strapless red gown at the premiere on Tuesday evening.

The video shows the security guard holding up her arms to guide 43-year-old Rowland up the steps as she is waving and having her picture taken, at which point Rowland points her finger at the staff member and appears upset.

The dispute carries on up the stairs, with Rowland turning around to direct a comment to the guard before entering the building.

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It all took place in front of a crowd of fans who watched the incident unfold.

Speaking at the amfAR gala on Thursday, Rowland said: “The woman knows what happened. I know what happened. And, I have a boundary. And I stand by those boundaries and that is it.

“There were other women who attended that carpet, who did not quite look like me, and they didn’t get scolded or pushed off or told to get off.

“I stood my ground. And she felt she had to stand hers, but I stood my ground and that was it.”

Sky News has approached Rowland and the Cannes Film Festival for comment.

Rowland hit the headlines earlier this year after she reportedly walked off the Today show in the US.

Speculation over her exit has never been confirmed.

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P Diddy: New sexual assault allegations filed against rapper Sean Combs

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P Diddy: New sexual assault allegations filed against rapper Sean Combs

A former fashion student has accused rapper P Diddy of sexually assaulting her more than 20 years ago when she was a fashion student in New York City.

April Lampros, who is now 51, filed a claim at the Supreme Court of New York County on Thursday, according to NBC, Sky News’s sister outlet in the United States.

She claims the musician – whose real name is Sean Combs – sexually assaulted her on four occasions between 1995 and the early 2000s, including once when she was forced to take ecstasy and have sex with Combs’ former girlfriend Kim Porter.

Porter died in 2018 of pneumonia.

Ms Lampros also claims that years after she severed ties with Combs, 54, she learned he was alleged to have recorded them having sex without her knowledge and showed the recording to others.

It comes just days after CCTV video footage emerged showing Combs attacking his ex-partner Cassie Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016.

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‘Diddy’ apologises after assault video

The rapper responded to the video saying he was “truly sorry,” and was “disgusted” by his “inexcusable” behaviour.

Before the video emerged, Combs had denied all allegations of abuse and wrongdoing. He had previously called Cassie’s allegations sickening.

Many celebrities hit out at his behaviour, with actress and model Emily Ratajkowski calling him a “monster”.

Pic: CNN via AP
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Combs has since called his behaviour in the video ‘disgusting’. Pic: CNN via AP

Pic: CNN via AP
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Pic: CNN via AP

Ventura has since thanked people for “the outpouring of love”, adding that “domestic violence… broke me down to someone I never thought I would become“.

Combs cannot be prosecuted for his actions in the hotel video as they took place too long ago.

Ms Lampros – who is suing Combs over allegations of battery, sexual assault, infliction of emotional distress and gender-motivated violence – is the sixth woman to detail assault allegations against Combs in a lawsuit.

On Tuesday, a former model filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Combs drugged and sexually assaulted her at his New York City recording studio in 2003 after they met at a Men’s Fashion Week event.

Sean Combs and Cassie in 2017. Pic: PA
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Sean Combs and Cassie in 2017. Pic: PA

Crystal McKinney, who was 22 at the time of the alleged attack, said she smoked marijuana with Combs, which she “later came to understand” was laced with a narcotic or intoxicating substance.

She said she was sexually assaulted by Combs in the bathroom, before losing consciousness and later waking up in a taxi and realised she had been sexually assaulted.

In March, his homes in Los Angeles and Miami were raided by Homeland Security as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation by federal authorities in New York.

Read more on Sky News:
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Sean Kingston’s home raided – as his mother arrested

Sean Comb's home raided by federal law enforcement.
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Combs’ home was raided by federal law enforcement


In April, Combs was named in a lawsuit that alleges his son sexually assaulted a woman working on a yacht chartered by his father.

Ventura, who began dating Combs a few years after meeting him in 2005, and split with him in 2019, sued him in November, alleging she was trafficked, raped, plied with drugs and beaten by Combs over a 10-year period.

The lawsuit claimed he forced her to have sex with male sex workers while he filmed them. The case was settled the day after it was filed.

Combs – who has never been formally charged – denies all charges against him.

Sky News has contacted the rapper for comment.

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Morgan Spurlock: Super Size Me documentary maker, who ate only McDonald’s for a month, dies aged 53

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Morgan Spurlock: Super Size Me documentary maker, who ate only McDonald's for a month, dies aged 53

Documentary maker Morgan Spurlock, who famously ate only at McDonald’s for a month in Super Size Me, has died.

Spurlock died from complications of cancer at the age of 53 in New York, his family confirmed in a statement.

Craig Spurlock, the filmmaker’s brother, said: “Morgan gave so much through his art, ideas, and generosity.

“The world has lost a true creative genius and a special man. I am so proud to have worked together with him.”

Morgan Spurlock. Pic: Pia Torelli/Sipa/Shutterstock
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Morgan Spurlock. Pic: Pia Torelli/Sipa/Shutterstock

Born on 7 November 1970, Spurlock started off his career as a playwright before creating I Bet You Will – an internet series where members of the public would take part in stunts for cash.

The 2002 webcasts, which saw some dared to eat a full jar of mayonnaise for $235 or take a shot of cod liver oil, were eventually bought by MTV.

Spurlock rose to fame with his 2004 documentary Super Size Me, where he exclusively ate at McDonald’s for 30 days to investigate the rise of obesity in the US.

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He ate an average of 5,000 calories a day, always took a “super-size” meal if offered and exercised less to match the average American’s physical activity at the time.

By the end of his experiment, he claimed he put on 25lbs (11.3kg) and started suffering from depression and liver dysfunction.

Spurlock’s documentary grossed $22million in the global box office and was nominated for an Oscar.

It also prompted McDonald’s to stop offering its “super-size” option in 2004.

However the film’s findings were called into question as Spurlock refused to share his meal logs. He also later admitted to alcohol abuse in 2017, which other documentary makers said explained his liver issues and poor mental health.

In 2019, Spurlock released his second expose against the fast-food industry with Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!

The documentary sees him open his own restaurant and “become part of the problem” while tackling claims of healthy meals at big chain restaurants.

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