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Wales Online
Wales Online
Lifestyle
Neil Shaw

Friend reveals how Paul O'Grady died hours after she spoke to him

Actor Linda Thorson has paid a heartfelt tribute to her close friend, Paul O'Grady, and revealed how he died hopurs after she spoke to him in their 'best ever conversation'.

The 75-year-old actress, known for her roles in Emmerdale and The Avengers, spoke to Susanna Reid and Adil Ray on Good Morning Britain about how she spoke to O'Grady just hours before his death on Tuesday.

Thorson said they had one of the best conversations they've ever had, and that O'Grady was looking forward to the future while on tour for Annie.

She said: "Paul rang me at 3pm on Tuesday and we spoke for an hour. One of the best conversations we've ever had."

She said: "He was over the moon, he loved the cast, got along with everybody. He was so upbeat with all these plans."

She later added: "I can't believe it. Just to hang up the phone and hours later for someone to die who was so happy, who was full of life. He died in his own bed and his husband was there."

She added that she couldn't believe he had passed away so suddenly, describing him as a king among men who cared deeply about her. O'Grady's love of Thorson's 1960s show The Avengers was the start of their friendship, and she credited him with saving her life when she contracted COVID-19 in 2020.

Twitter viewers were moved by Thorson's tribute, with many describing it as emotional and beautiful.

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