Venue where Paul O'Grady first played Lily Savage pays tribute after his death ... trends now

There were tears and cheers at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern last night - the London venue where Paul O'Grady first found fame with his beloved alter ego Lily Savage.    

Mr O'Grady, who has died aged 67, has been remembered as 'one of the greatest drag artists the UK has ever seen' at a south London venue where he found mainstream success.

Wednesday night's show at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern (RVT), closer to Vauxhall Bridge and the Oval cricket ground, saw a minute of raucous applause for the much-loved comedian and broadcaster, instead of a typical minute of silence.

He rose to fame on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage - a name believed to have been inspired by his late mother.

After touring the north of England with the character, he settled into a solo residency at the RVT, before transitioning to broadcasting and going on to host a number of popular television programmes.

On Wednesday, RVT host Michael Twaits, told a packed out audience that O'Grady had been 'an absolute legend of the community'. He told the audience 'a trailblazer and a legend has left us' before leading them in a round of applause for O'Grady.

'Today we lost one of the greatest drag artists the UK has ever seen, and it is this building, this building was where it happened,' he said.

'Eight years of doing solo shows... and also doing shows like tonight, introducing new talent to the LGBT+ scene. Paul O'Grady was an absolute legend of the community.'

He added: 'It was around raising up the community, and when you move from a stage like this into the mainstream, when you move into breakfast f****** television... and still stay true to yourself, stay true to your queer self, and stay true to your working class roots.'

Mr O'Grady was 'laughing, smiling and full of life' just hours before his death, his close friend and radio producer Malcolm Prince revealed - as the Queen Consort joined those paying tribute to the star.

The comedian and TV presenter, who rose to fame on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage, died 'unexpectedly but peacefully' on Tuesday night at the age of 67, his husband Andre Portasio said in a statement.

O'Grady has been hailed as a 'trailblazer' for breaking into the mainstream broadcasting landscape with his alter ego and for his charity work around animals and Aids.

Prince, who worked with O'Grady at both BBC Radio 2 and Boom Radio - an independent station aimed at Baby Boomers - said he is devastated by his loss and added in a tweet: 'Yesterday afternoon I popped round to Paul's for a good old catch-up.

'Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling and full of life.'

The royal family's official Twitter account paid tribute this morning, posting an image of O'Grady with Camilla, after they worked closely in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The post read: '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.'

Camilla will be sharing her sympathies with O'Grady's family privately in due course, Buckingham Palace added.

Prince said that O'Grady, who had been touring playing Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie, had been 'so proud' of the role and added: 'He was looking forward to so many new projects. And now he's gone.

'I can't believe it. We have lost a unique talent - and I've lost a dear friend. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives. My heart goes out to Andre, Paul's family, and friends. Oh how I'll miss him.'

O'Grady left his Radio 2 Sunday afternoon slot in August last year after almost 14 years, following a schedule shake-up which saw him regularly swapping with comic Rob Beckett. He and Prince, known to fans as #TeamPOG, appeared on Boom Radio for a Christmas special and were due to return to the station for a one-off show on Easter Sunday.

O'Grady was playing Miss Hannigan in the musical while it tours around Britain - with his last performance at the Edinburgh Playhouse as recently as Saturday night.

His next appearance in Annie was due to be in Southampton on April 24, before further shows in Liverpool in June, and then Wimbledon and Bristol in November.

Theatregoer Jude McKerrecher tweeted : 'Sad news about the death of Paul O'Grady. Saw him in Annie as Miss Hannigan at Edinburgh Playhouse only last Thursday. Wonderful entertainment and performance, the audience loved him.'

Another, Ali Payne, tweeted: 'Saw Paul O'Grady last week in Annie @edinplayhouse. He was magical - as always. Such sad news.' And a third, Fiona Fraser, said: 'He was fabulous in Annie last week as Miss Hannigan - a role he reprised after 25 years.'

Other fans lamented that they would not get to see him in Annie, having booked tickets for future shows. One, Kerynne Lola, said: 'Shocked to hear of the death of Paul O'Grady especially as I just booked my ticket to see him in Annie in June.'

Another tweeted that she was 'supposed to be seeing him in Annie next month', while a third said: 'Had planned to see him in Annie. Gutted.'

Last week on BBC Radio Scotland, O'Grady joked about 'gasping for air' when performing Easy Street in Annie.

He joked: 'Don't take the elderly for granted. I'm no chicken. I'm 67, I'm 68 this year, and I'm rocking around with Miss Hannigan doing Easy Street gasping for air.'

Speaking about the role, O'Grady added: 'The last time I was in Annie was 28 years ago. It's strange coming back after so long. But Hannigan is such fun. Because you can play her pure evil, but I don't. I play her for laughs, because she's either drunk or hungover. Either way she's mean.'

He also insisted during the interview that he was 'absolutely fine' and was 'back in business' after fearing he wouldn't work again due to a Covid scare.

A spokesman for the Edinburgh Playhouse told MailOnline : 'We are deeply saddened by the news of the sudden passing of much loved actor, comedian and TV personality Paul O'Grady.

'We have many wonderful memories of him. From his early days with Lily to his most recent visit last week, in the musical Annie where he played Miss Hannigan to great acclaim. 

'He was warm, funny and kind, always making time for staff members and of course the office pups. Our thoughts are with his husband, family and friends at this difficult time.'

David Lloyd, co-founder of Boom Radio, told MailOnline: 'Paul loved his radio - and it suited him so well. Following the Easter show, we had every expectation that he would have started a more regular commitment with us later in the year. 

'Many of our listeners are already asking if we will re-run his Christmas Day show on Easter Day. It may well be the most fitting tribute to a broadcaster who was at the top of his game.' 

O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio, who married him in 2017, praised his 'humour, wit and compassion' in a statement announcing his death released just before 3am.

O'Grady became a household name in the early noughties, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a string of television programmes including his self-titled daytime chat show, The Paul O'Grady Show, which began airing in 2004.

He also took over the reins from Blind Date's long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, to host the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017. And he fronted Blankety Blank, as well as ITV's award-winning For The Love Of Dogs.

The father-of-one's 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.  He also had a debiltating Covid battle that left him unable to work for two months.

Good Morning Britain's Susanna Reid recalled an interview with O'Grady when he spoke about suffering heart problems.

She said on the ITV programme this morning: 'I remember he told us about those [health issues] when we interviewed him on the sofa about having a heart attack, cardiac arrest and leaving it before telling a doctor, almost like he didn't want to bother anybody about it.'

O'Grady married Portuguese lesbian barmaid Teresa Fernandes in 1977 to stop her deportation. They divorced in 2005 and he wed ex-ballet dancer Mr Portasio in 2017. 

Decades earlier in 1974, he had his only child, a daughter called Sharyn Mousley, with his dear friend Diane Jansen. O'Grady is also a grandfather to Sharyn's son Abel, who was born in 2006 and is now aged 16, and Sharyn's daughter Halo, born in 2009.

Mr Portasio said early this morning: '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.'

O'Grady and Portasio were married during a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017.

During his career, he 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 took over the reins from Blind Date's long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.

Last year he was joined by the Queen Consort 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.

In August last year he presented his final BBC Radio 2 show having hosted the Sunday afternoon programme for nearly 14 years, later saying the station's drive for younger listeners 'doesn't make sense'.

And he was performing right until the end - taking to the stage as Ms Hannigan in Annie at the Edinburgh Playhouse. 

In a statement, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home paid tribute to O'Grady as a 'devoted animal lover' and a 'champion for the underdog'.

The organisation's chief executive, Peter Laurie, said: 'Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.

'Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.'

O'Grady's contribution to animal welfare was also recognised with an RSPCA Animal Hero Award.

Chief executive Chris Sherwood said: 'Paul O'Grady's love for animals and the incredible way he told their stories inspired countless families to re-home rescue pets and give them a second chance of happiness.

'His tireless campaigning saw Paul recognised with an RSPCA Animal Hero Award for his outstanding contribution to animal welfare, while he once adopted a little lamb, Winston, from us, who had been rescued from a wheelie bin.

'The thoughts of all at the RSPCA are with his loved ones and our friends at Battersea at this difficult and sad time.'

O'Grady's love for animals was well-known, and he had lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Portasio along with a menagerie of animals including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls.

During the coronavirus lockdown, he wrote his debut children's book, Eddie Albert And The Amazing Animal Gang, which was published in September 2021.

Sir Elton John wrote on Instagram: 'Saddening news to hear of Paul O'Grady's passing this morning. A brilliant entertainer, wit, and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and the fight against AIDS and HIV who I was fortunate enough to spend time with including when he hosted @davidfurnish's and my Stag Party before our Civil Partnership in 2005.

'Thank you for all the joy you brought into the world, Paul. You went places nobody had gone before and we will miss you very much.'

Paddy McGuinness and Gaby Roslin are also among those who have paid tribute to 'clever and supportive' O'Grady.

Former Big Breakfast presenter Roslin, who occasionally sat in for the presenter on his BBC Radio 2 Paul O'Grady show, wrote that his death is 'unbelievably sad news' and said the presenter was a 'one-off' as she posted a picture on Instagram of the star with his dog.

She added: 'Goodness me we laughed together so much. Our chats lasted for hours and he'll be up there now nattering away and keeping everyone laughing.

'This lovely photo of him and (dog) Buster makes me smile and I know he'll want us all to smile when we think of him and celebrate his life.

'My love and deepest sympathies to Andre and to Sharon and the family. He was brave and clever and naughty and a dear friend. Sleep tight Savage darling I adored you.'

O'Grady presented his final BBC radio show in August 2022.

McGuiness wrote on Twitter that O'Grady, for whom he stood in on his chat show more than 15 years ago, 'was always supportive, kind and just great to be around'.

The Top Gear and Take Me Out presenter added: 'Paul started in the pubs and working men's clubs but finished as an icon of British TV. I'll miss him very much. Rest in peace Paul.'

On Twitter, former BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce wrote: 'Such shocking sad news about Paul O'Grady. A unique and brilliant broadcaster who brightened the nation.'

He also remembered O'Grady as a 'terrific communicator'. Bruce, who will present a new mid-morning show on Bauer's Greatest Hits Radio from April, said: 'I was always amazed by how easily Paul slipped into the style of radio presentation, because, you know, he was a comedian and an actor, and the two don't always work together.

'But Paul came in, and it was as if he'd been in a radio studio all his life.

'He was a terrific communicator; that was the secret to Paul, he could get his point of view and his personality across just in a few words.

'And there was an innate kindliness and a lack of nastiness about him, which, you know, the Lily Savage character was pretty harsh but the real Paul - Paul behind that character - was (a) much softer, gentler, kindlier person.

'And that came over on the radio, I think his radio audiences understood him very well and he understood his audiences.'