LONDON — Entertainer Paul O’Grady, who rose to prominence as drag queen Lily Savage before becoming a popular comedian and TV presenter in the United Kingdom, has died. He was 67.
Britain’s queen consort, who collaborated with O’Grady to raise funds for animal charities, led tributes to a performer who rose from the alternative homosexual comedy scene to become a national treasure.
Andre Portasio, O’Grady’s partner, said he passed “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening.
“His loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who enjoyed his humor, wit, and compassion will be greatly missed,” Portasio said in a statement.
O’Grady, born in Birkenhead, near Liverpool, in 1955, was working as a local authority care worker when he started performing as Savage, a tart-tongued Liverpool drag queen.
Savage established himself as a stand-up comedian and talent show host at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern, a landmark gay establishment. O’Grady used his position to advocate for LGBT rights during the height of the AIDS crisis when Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government was enacting anti-gay legislation.
He presented talk programs and games like “The Paul O’Grady Show.”
In the 1990s, Lily Savage transitioned to television, hosting the talk program “The Lily Savage Show.”
Later, as Paul O’Grady, he presented talk programs and gameshows such as “The Paul O’Grady Show,” “Blind Date,” and “Blankety Blank,” as well as a BBC radio program.
He also hosted “For the Love of Dogs,” a documentary about the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an animal rescue charity. Last year, Camilla, the queen consort, appeared on the program.
“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,” the official royal family Twitter account said.
O’Grady “wasn’t just a brilliant comedian and broadcast personality, but a much-admired campaigner for LGBT+ equality and animal rights,” according to veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Tatchell described Paul as “one of the loveliest people you could ever meet.” “Everyone whose lives he touched, as well as those who enjoyed his wit and admired his compassion, will miss him greatly.”
O’Grady is survived by his wife, Portasio, and a daughter from a prior relationship.
SOURCE – (AP)
