Tributes Paid To "Champion Of The Underdog" Paul O'Grady

Paul O'Grady died last night aged 67 "unexpectedly but peacefully", according to his partner Andre Portasio.

"He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion", Portasio said. "I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years". 

Tributes have since been paid to the late presenter and comedian, who was known for his drag queen alter ego Lily Savage, along with winning a National Televsion Award for his Channel Four chatshowm The Paul O'Grady Show among other things. 

Such things include his close working relationship with Britain's Queen Consul in their support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

They called him a “devoted animal lover” and a champion for the underdog”.

Musicians and household names including Elton John, Vernon Kay, Lorraine Kelly, Carol Vorderman, Martin Kemp, Gabby Roslin, Paddy McGuinness among others also shared emotional posts, paying homage to O'Grady.

Check out these tributes below. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqXj-2PDR35/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c35ceeae-eede-4eb3-bba2-faec63fbc845https://twitter.com/PaddyMcGuinness/status/1640965616239509505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1640965616239509505%7Ctwgr%5Ee0cefd37781c2a12c003a55a51fe095e4f5072d2%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rte.ie%2Fentertainment%2F2023%2F0329%2F1366931-tributes-to-champion-for-the-underdog-paul-ogrady%2Fhttps://twitter.com/reallorraine/status/1640908944913711104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1640908944913711104%7Ctwgr%5E6e88467e32cbafe7dadabe92019eab8d2d962b1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nova.ie%2Ftributes-paid-to-special-man-paul-ogrady-227082%2Fhttps://twitter.com/carolvorders/status/1640939229566889986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1640939229566889986%7Ctwgr%5E6e88467e32cbafe7dadabe92019eab8d2d962b1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nova.ie%2Ftributes-paid-to-special-man-paul-ogrady-227082%2Fhttps://twitter.com/vernonkay/status/1640949453895901188?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1640949453895901188%7Ctwgr%5E6e88467e32cbafe7dadabe92019eab8d2d962b1d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nova.ie%2Ftributes-paid-to-special-man-paul-ogrady-227082%2Fhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CqXUl8SoEaS/