TV star and British drag icon Paul O’Grady has died.
According to his husband, Andre Portasio, who shared the news, the beloved presenter died
He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.”
After finding fame in the early 90s with his drag alter-ego Lily Savage, he was well-known for The Paul O’Grady Show. After the chat show ended in 2015, O’Grady shared his love and appreciation for animals with Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs.
Among those to pay tribute were members of the Royal Family. In a statement, they said they were
Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of [non-profit charity] Battersea, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories.”
Danny Beard (RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner) told PinkNews,
You’ve only got to look around the world now to see the drag bans in America, and a very small but very vocal right wing – even right-wing press – being so vocal and demonizing drag.
You see someone like Paul and realize that drag is a really, really talented art form, and one that’s not going anywhere.”
Before his death, O’Grady was preparing to launch a campaign calling for a police apology for his “homophobic” 1987 arrest.
He’d been performing at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London as Lily Savage when 35 police officers raided the gay club, wearing rubber gloves. The police were there to intimidate the LGBTQ community, at the height of the AIDS crisis.
O’Grady recalled in 2021,
I remember saying something like,
‘Well well, it looks like we’ve got help with the washing up.’
When ordered to give a name to the desk sergeant, O’Grady told him,
Lily Savage”.
When the officer pressed for a “real” name, the reply was,
Lily. Veronica. Mae. Savage.”
Lily Savage’s age was not known, and it’s very rude to ask!
Paul O’Grady was 67.
(via Pink News)
