Paul James O’Grady MBE DL was an English comedian, broadcaster, actor, writer and drag queen. He achieved notability in the London gay scene during the 1980s with his drag queen persona Lily Savage, through which he gained broader popularity in the 1990s.
O’Grady subsequently dropped the character and in the 2000s became the presenter of various television and radio shows, including The Paul O’Grady Show.
O’Grady was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment. In 2020 he became president of the British Music Hall Society, taking over the role from Roy Hudd. He was a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Kent.
He married Andre Portasio in 2017.
O’Grady died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on 28 March 2023, at the age of 67. His death was announced by his husband, André Portasio, and tributes for the former television host came in from television presenter Lorraine Kelly and LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
The cause of death wasn’t immediately known, but he had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006, and 2014, and also kidney failure.
Paul O’Grady Daughter: Who is Sharon?
Paul’s daughter Sharon was born in 1974, her mother is the comedian’s close friend Diane Jansen. He gave Sharon away at her wedding and was overjoyed when she gave him two grandchildren.
O’Grady’s grandson, Abel, was born in December 2006, with a granddaughter being born in December 2009.
Speaking about Sharon’s nuptials, Paul previously said: ‘It was a really great day. Sharon looked fabulous and Philip is a smashing fella. They fit together like a pan and a lid.
‘Sharon wore a lovely floaty pale pink dress – because she looks shocking in white. She looked like a Disney princess.’
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