Paul O'Grady death: Star and Julian Clary used to leave drinkers in hysterics trends now
Residents in Paul O'Grady's village today paid tribute to the star and revealed how he and fellow local Julian Clary used to leave fellow drinkers at their pub in hysterics.
O'Grady, who died last night aged 67, lived in a £2.5million home in the village of Aldington, near Ashford in Kent, which he bought from comic Vic Reeves in 1999.
He was a regular in The Walnut Tree Inn, where he would often be accompanied by friend, comedian and fellow villager Clary - and the pair regularly made others laugh.
Neighbours of O'Grady, who shot to fame playing his alter ego Lily Savage, also told MailOnline today that their village was 'poorer without him'. And the pub landlady said O'Grady would often enjoy a pint of cider or Moet & Chandon champagne.
Also today, Clary tweeted a comical picture of the duo this morning and said: 'Farewell to my fierce and funny friend. I'm going to miss you. #RIPPaulO'Grady.'
Julian Clary tweeted a comical picture of the duo this morning, in a tribute to Paul O'Grady
The star suffered two heart attacks, in 2002 and 2006, and was rushed to hospital in 2013 with chest pains so had cut back his visits to the 15th century pub in recent years.
Walnut Treet Inn pub landlady Karen Barrett said O'Grady popped in throughout his two decades living in the village of Aldington
However, he would still shop every other day in the village store - ordering freshly made Cornish pasties - rather than visit the local Waitrose supermarket like other local celebrities.
Linda Harman, a local councillor, said residents there were devastated by the loss.
She said: 'Like everyone, we woke up to the extremely sad and shocking news that Paul had passed away.
'He was a staunch member and supporter of this community who always have his time - and sometimes his money - to support events in the village.
'Just last summer he judged the local dog show, which he absolute loved. When Julian Clary lived in the village, he and Paul would often be seen enjoying a few drinks together in the pub. They were great and very funny as you'd expect, the other punters used to love it.
'Paul had a couple of health scares, though, and so after that took it a lot easier and cut down on his visits, especially after Julian moved away.
'Paul was as people have described today, a fabulous, kind, normal person who never once stood on his celebruty status.
'We loved having him here and we are going to miss him a lot.'
When Julian Clary lived in the village, he and Paul O'Grady (pictured in London in 2018) would often be seen enjoying a few drinks together in the pub, according to a local councillor
Ms Harman recalled how during the Covid pandemic she had read reports in the news that the star had been struck down with the virus.
Linda Harman, a local councillor in Aldington, said O'Grady was a 'staunch member and supporter of this community'
She added: 'We had a Covid support group at the time and would phone and basically reach out to those who had it to make sure they were ok and to ask if they needed any help.
'I didn't know who to reach out to Paul as he was such a big star so I knew that from when I worked in PR, I had his agent's email. So I emailed the agent and said that we had this support group and if Paul needed anything we were there for him.
'The agent replied and thanked me for getting in touch but the next thing my mobile rang and it was Paul on the other end of the line, thanking me for my concern and the for the kind offer of support... but added that he was fine and the papers had got it wrong!
'He was so down-to-earth, warm and friendly, it was like talking to my neighbour.'
Wiping
