Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
National
James Rodger & Oliver Pridmore

Friends say Paul O'Grady 'didn't listen' to concerns about his health

Friends of the late Paul O'Grady say the star presenter and comedian "didn't listen" to concerns about his health. The death of Mr O'Grady, aged 67, was announced on March 28 and tributes from those who knew him have been flooding in ever since.

Christopher Biggins, the panto actor and I'm A Celebrity star who was a close friend of Paul O'Grady, has now spoken about how unconcerned he was with health issues, the Birmingham Mail reports. Mr Biggins, speaking to The Sun, said: "About 15 years ago we were staying with Cilla in Spain.

"Paul had his heart problems already and had been told not to smoke or indulge in alcohol too much. She told me to go upstairs and tell him to stop.

Are you a true Nottinghamian? Take our quiz here to find out.

"I felt like the matron from the Carry On films when I went into his bedroom and said: ‘Paul, you’re smoking.’ He looked at me and said: ‘No I’m not.'

"I know for a fact he was still smoking last week. What a wonderful way to go — peacefully in your sleep." Another one of those paying tribute to Paul O'Grady has been the actress Linda Thorson, who said last week: "Paul rang me on Tuesday, the day before yesterday, at three o'clock and we spoke for an hour. It must be one of the best conversations we've ever had."

"I can't believe it... just to hang up the phone and hours later for someone to die who was so happy, full of life... He brought energy into the room. He was very magical and he was just... he was an entertainer.

"He was generous to a fault. I will never, ever meet anyone like him. He was just a friend. He actually cared about me... I felt that and you don't feel that often."

Read next:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.