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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Paul O'Grady's Eurovision cameo has fans in tears as Zoe Ball says 'we miss him so much'

Paul O'Grady's fans were brought to tears after watching his surprise appearance in the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest.

On Tuesday night, fans tuned in to watch the yearly chaos and talent of Europe's best performers on stage in Liverpool.

However, fans weren't expecting to cry so soon as the late TV icon Paul, who died age 67 in March, appeared in the show's opening video.

Starring in the Welcome to Liverpool video, he showed up on the screen with a big smile while holding one of his beloved dogs.

Paul also got down and dirty while mopping the floor and fans were immediately in tears.

The short segment was the last thing Paul, who admitted he 'wasn't a fan of Eurovision', filmed before he died "unexpectedly and peacefully" nearly two months ago.

The BBC said of Paul's contribution: "Paul took part in this film as he wanted to mark his pride in his home region of Liverpool hosting the contest on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine."

One fan posted: "A gorgeous little nod to the great and utterly fabulous Paul O’Grady in the opening titles to Eurovision."

"Paul O’Grady and kids in tracksuits holding hands. Sobbing already," another emotional user wrote.

One said: "So lovely to see Paul O’Grady in that opening and what an opening trailer that was. Amazing to see the King and Queen in it too and of course Ukraine the key part of it all."

" Paul O'Grady in the opening sequence I'm crying," another heartbroken fan wrote.

Paul's former Radio 2 co-star Zoe Ball tweeted: "wonderful to see darling #PaulOGrady on the opening of the first #Eurovision semi-final we miss you so much pog."

The Lily Savage star's appearance in the filming project was previously announced on Twitter.

Paul's appearance was confirmed by the icon's manager and tweeted by a friend, Malcolm Prince, who also worked as a producer with Paul.

He wrote: "There will be a brief clip of Paul in the opening titles of the Eurovision programme at 8.00p.m. on Tues 9th May on BBC One…

"Paul wasn’t a fan of Eurovision as I am sure you all know, but it turned out to be the last bit of filming he did."

Fans found the information amusing as Paul wasn't a fan of the yearly contest.

A fan reminisced: "Haha I remember going in to radio two to talk to Maria Mc one Eurovision weekend. Paul was clucking about moaning about it all!"

"He was never a fan of it, bless him," the original tweeter, wrote.

Another fan said: "I'm sure I can hear his rAAAnt... of alllll the things to be my last recording, it had to be about Eurovision!!!"

"Oh the irony. sure he's looking down going, bah humbug," one joked.

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