ITV has confirmed changes to its planned schedule following the death of Paul O'Grady. The comedian and TV presenter was said to be "laughing, smiling and full of life” shortly before his 'unexpected' death on Tuesday evening (March 28).
His partner, Andre Portasio, confirmed in a statement that O'Grady, who rose to fame on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" at the age of 67 in a statement issued in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Mr Portasio said in his statement: "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 added: "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."
Tributes have since been pouring in for O'Grady who duing his career hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
O'Grady's love for animals was well-known, and he lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Portasio along with a menagerie of animals including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls, and his profile picture on Instagram shows him with one of his dogs. And last year he was joined by Camilla in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador.
The Queen Consort has said she has been left "deeply saddened" at the death of her friend. The royal family’s official Twitter account paid tribute to the star, saying: "Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of @Battersea_, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories."
It posted an image of the Queen Consort smiling alongside O’Grady after they took a rescued West Highland Terrier for a walk during a visit to a Battersea centre in Kent last year.
It has now been confirmed that O'Grady's special royal episode of For The Love of Dogs, with Camilla, will air in his memory on ITV today (Wednesday) at 5pm in place of The Chase.
O'Grady spoke of his affection for Camilla in February last year when their dogs took part in a loyalty duel at Battersea’s Brands Hatch centre in Kent, as part of filming for his show. Praising the then Duchess of Cornwall’s commitment to Battersea, he said: "I just love her, she’s great."
Camilla – who has two rescue Jack Russells called Beth and Bluebell – took Beth along to compete with O’Grady’s dog Sausage. The royal pet managed to ignore toys and treats to run back to her owner to win the trial. O’Grady also met the late Queen alongside Britain’s Got Talent presenter Amanda Holden at Battersea’s south London kennels in 2015, but an endeavour to get the monarch to adopt a new corgi were not successful.
Amanda asked the Queen whether she wanted to take home a 12-year-old corgi called Beama, with her replying: "Not at the moment." Attempts to persuade her failed, with the bemused Queen declaring to watching reporters: "You’re all mad," before walking off
O’Grady later recalled the encounter, saying: “The Queen said no and the Duke of Edinburgh gave Amanda a look that would melt concrete. She said to me afterwards: ‘I think I’ve upset the Queen,’ and I said: ‘I know you have.’ She’s in her 80s, why does she want a corgi who’ll attack her other dogs while she breaks her neck over them? She doesn’t want that.'"
ITV has also confirmed other upcoming changes. The network will be broadcasting For the Love of Paul O'Grady on ITV, in tribute to Paul at 8pm on Sunday, April 9, before the new series of Paul O'Grady: For the Love Dogs begins on Thursday, April 13, at 8.30pm
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