Tributes continue to pour in following the announcement on Wednesday, March 30, that Paul O'Grady MBE had died. Amid all the sadness were some beautiful anecdotes about the star including an hilarious recollection from ITV Loose Women star, Denise Welch.
As she fondly recalled a 'behind the scenes' moment from many years ago involving Paul O'Grady and Blind Date icon Cilla Black, the daytime show's panel and audience couldn't hold back their laughter.
The news that national treasure Paul had passed away at the age of 67 was announced by Paul's husband Andre Portasio. He documented the sad news saying: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion. I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”
READ MORE: Paul O'Grady: Leave your tribute to TV star after 'unexpected' death
As Wednesday's Loose Women aired, viewers watched as the episode began with a montage of clips from Paul's appearances on the show. It was then, reported Chronicle Live, that Denise let the cat out of the bag on something that happened backstage when showbiz legend Cilla was drafted in as a last minute guest on Loose Women.
Denise explained that Cilla was already in the building with Paul, who was getting ready to film his own ITV series, when a Loose Women guest pulled out of their interview and the Blind Date legend was called in.
But, not wasting the opportunity to cause a bit of a havoc at his dear friend's expense, Denise revealed that Paul "plied Cilla with champagne and didn't tell her," so, by the time, she joined the Loose Women panel for a chat live on air, she was, in Denise's words "absolutely hammered."
Elaborating on what happened, Denise added: "At one point Andrea McLean [the host] went 'What's wrong with Cilla?' because her false eyelash with gradually coming down her face and Paul O'Grady thought it was the best thing ever in the entire world! He had such a cheeky sense of humour."
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