Paul O'Grady was well-known for championing the underdog.
A prolific campaigner for animal charities, LGBTQ rights and homeless shelters, the Lily Savage star used his platform to give a voice to those who desperately needed it.
Tributes have been pouring in from the various charities Paul worked with, as the world is still reeling from the news he's passed away, aged 67.
So as we remember the late star in all his glory, here's some of the ways the once self-confessed underdog 'championed the underdog'.
Helped the homeless
Paul pledged his support for the homeless and spent time at a Liverpool homeless centre, where he met a recovering drug addict.
The star heard Joanne's story at the Salvation Army’s Ann Fowler House on Fraser Street as part of BBC One series Sally Army and Me.
After hearing her plight, Paul said: “All she wants is to have her own flat and to put her own kettle on. That’s not a lot to ask you know.
“We’re not asking for mansions and a millionaire’s life style.
“She wants the simple things in life that she’s missed out on. And she’s extremely brave, extremely brave, the way she speaks openly about it. It takes guts to you know, to come out and admit you’ve messed up badly.”
“I seriously wish her all the luck in the world.”
Joanne's support worker thanked Paul for his kindness, saying: “Paul was wonderful with our service users and just chatted to them as equals.
"He took time to listen to their stories and approached them with genuine sincerity. His humour was a great help as it put everyone at ease.
“His kindness shone through and he was so generous with his time. His interest in our service was a real boost and our service users were keen to show the reality of homelessness and addiction.”
Devoted animal lover
For The Love Of Dogs star Paul was always surrounded by his prized pooches.
He often presented his BBC Radio 2 show snuggled up to his dogs and made no secret of his affection for "all things dog".
The star was also an Ambassador at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where he helped to raise awareness and find home for its residents.
In a statement shared with the PA news agency, following the tragic news of his death, Battersea 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.
He continued: “Paul had an extremely hands-on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages. He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life. He will be dearly missed.”
LGBTQ rights
Paul spoke at a Lesbian and Gay Rights demonstration targeting the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, against laws aimed at stifling Gay Rights in Russia.
He also won a Trailblazer prize at the British LGBT Awards in 2019, where he chatted to the Mirror.
An a staunch advocate for gay rights and marriage, he told us: "People need to learn to keep their nose out of other people's business when it doesn't concern them. If you go to bed in the night and you're called Tom and you wake up in the morning and want to call yourself, Maureen that's fine by me."
Speaking about winning his award, he said: "I'm genuinely delighted, I'm very proud to receive it, I've just always been myself and wanted to live my life without hurting anybody and I think that's the secret to it really.
"I'll tell you what it is with me, no matter who it is, I'm a champion of the underdog because I've been an underdog myself and I know what it's like. I won't listen to anybody call someone fat or this or that or ugly or whatever."
Paying tribute to the star, who also spoke openly about AIDS and its stigma, a fan tweeted today: "Paul O’Grady was in the trenches fighting for our community during the HIV & AIDS epidemic, she took drag mainstream, she made our mums howl with laughter and normalised gay people on TV by being utterly vile. I can’t imagine a world without her. A truly brave and hilarious man x."
Job opportunities
Paul was the toast of Channel 4 when he hosted the Paul O'Grady Show.
Former editor at the broadcaster, Mark Downie, revealed today the star wanted to give job opportunities on his programme to everyone.
Paying tribute to the much-loved talent, he said: "When we worked together at Ch4, Paul O’Grady insisted that new roles on his show were advertised in the local Job Centre.
"He wanted anyone and everyone to be able to apply so they could get a break like he had. And it made the show better. A kind and generous man."
