RIP Paul O'Grady

[tonysingh]

To someone who's connections with actual family are tenuous at best if not non existent, Paul O'Grady passing away feels like losing a beloved uncle.

 

[Sasaferrato]

67. No age really. One of nature's gentle souls gone too soon. R.I.P.

 

[Plumdaff]

There's not many who are pretty much universally loved. A good kind man, a reminder of the power of love and of drag. RIP.

 

[Griff]

To someone who's connections with actual family are tenuous at best if not non existent, Paul O'Grady passing away feels like losing a beloved uncle.

Yeah, kind of know what you mean.

Really felt quite tearful telling my wife about him this morning.

 

[Kaka Tim]

bit gutted tbh. Lovely human being and Lilly Savage was hilarious -

Classic LS moment - To man who's getting fresh with her in the back of a cab "Oi! - Tits first! Im not a slag!"

 

[redcogs]

RIP Lilly, gentle kindness in a beautiful talented package.

 

[frogwoman]

Rip Paul/Lily you were fantastic

 

[oryx]

Sad news. He seemed like a very decent and likeable man.

I'm sure I saw him performing as Lily Savage in the Royal Vauxhall Tavern back in the mid-80s, when I lived nearby.

Also really enjoyed the first volume of his autobiography - very funny and humane.

RIP.

 

[friedaweed]

A world without Lily Savage is like a bowl of scouse without pickled red cabbage.

 

[weltweit]

Sad loss, saw and heard him on the radio most, like that he loved dogs and people too ... RIP

 

[pinkmonkey]

bit gutted tbh. Lovely human being and Lilly Savage was hilarious -

Classic LS moment - To man who's getting fresh with her in the back of a cab "Oi! - Tits first! Im not a slag!"

I still use the phrase, ‘prostitute wash’ to describe a quick face, armpits and crotch wash.

 

[two sheds]

Also posted on Corbyn thread:

 

[ska invita]

 

[rubbershoes]

When the police came into the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in 1987 wearing rubber gloves, Lily asked if they were there to do the washing up

 

[sojourner]

You can watch the Lily Savage shows on youtube. We watched loads of them a few years ago. There aren't many folk who can make me laugh as loud or as long as she did. A real shame he's gone so early.

 

[Dystopiary]

He knew what poverty was like and he never forgot that. He wasn't one of these who are like "I got myself up by the bootstraps, why can't you?" types, pull up the ladder behind them, you know. He got it, he knew life was a real struggle for a lot of people and it bothered him. I hope he's made people think, even watching them clips now after he's died, I hope people'll see that and go "You know what? He's got a point there."

 

[Shippou-Sensei]

To someone who's connections with actual family are tenuous at best if not non existent, Paul O'Grady passing away feels like losing a beloved uncle.

Ditto. My dad and another close friend of the family (gay 'uncle') were in his social circles from the victoria mansion days.

I don't think I met him but remember him being mentioned.

 

[Epona]

He knew what poverty was like and he never forgot that. He wasn't one of these who are like "I got myself up by the bootstraps, why can't you?" types, pull up the ladder behind them, you know. He got it, he knew life was a real struggle for a lot of people and it bothered him. I hope he's made people think, even watching them clips now after he's died, I hope people'll see that and go "You know what? He's got a point there."

Apparently if there were ever people needed for any of his shows for paid work (actor, extra, crew etc) he would insist on those jobs being advertised and recruited for via the job centre, to make sure everyone could see them and apply and have a fair chance at it. (Sorry if that was posted already, or even if I already replied or mentioned that - it is something that sticks out in my mind).

I'm a bit cut up about this tbh - I didn't always fully appreciate every bit of entertainment he did (I really never liked Blankety Blank ffs no matter who was presenting it) but he was quite frequently bang on point with cutting comments about the political status quo and was someone who I definitely felt was on my side. He also came across as someone who was above all, a kind person.

67 is no fucking age is it, it's a real shame that he is gone while so many other arses are still using up oxygen.

Rest in Peace. With lots of your beloved doggies by your side.

 

[Ceej]

I saw Lily fly off the stage at the RVT back in the day, and slap some dick in the face - he and a couple of mates turned up in rubber gloves for a bit of gay-baiting. The slap echoed around the pub - Lily didn't say a word, just pointed in his face with the longest fingernail and the most ferocious expression Rest in peace and love, Paul - you really were fabulous.

 

[Glitter]

 

[hash tag]

I'm feeling all emotional
BBC News - Paul O'Grady: Fans and dogs line streets for star's funeral

Paul O'Grady: Stars, fans and dogs turn out to say farewell at funeral

Hundreds of fans, and their pets, say farewell to the comedian and host of TV's For the Love of Dogs.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Epona]

I'm feeling all emotional
BBC News - Paul O'Grady: Fans and dogs line streets for star's funeral

Paul O'Grady: Stars, fans and dogs turn out to say farewell at funeral

Hundreds of fans, and their pets, say farewell to the comedian and host of TV's For the Love of Dogs.

www.bbc.co.uk

That's made me well up that has - not just for him and it is a sad loss, but also the wider fact that so many people turned up out of love for a gay man and drag performer gives me a little bit of hope that maybe the entire world isn't shit and bigoted, no matter what the level of toxic shite on twitter looks like some days.

 

[Elpenor]

Never realised he lived so close to my Dad (who I suspect had never heard of him!)

 

[ska invita]

reckon this will happen, nearly 200k petition now

Paul O'Grady: Calls for statue to be built in Birkenhead

More than 100,000 people sign a petition calling for the drag icon to be honoured in Birkenhead.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[hash tag]

reckon this will happen, nearly 200k petition now

Paul O'Grady: Calls for statue to be built in Birkenhead

More than 100,000 people sign a petition calling for the drag icon to be honoured in Birkenhead.

www.bbc.co.uk

Is Birkenhead the most appropriate place. His adopted home town or the dogs home perhaps more appropriate.

 

[Mr.Bishie]

Birkenhead was in his heart, no? Anyway who cares what our opinion (yours) is ffs

 

[ska invita]

Is Birkenhead the most appropriate place. His adopted home town or the dogs home perhaps more appropriate.

One foot in front of Thatchers would work

 

[Epona]

Not really into statues of actual people tbh but I think on the pedestal replacing fucking Thatcher would be appropriate in this case

 

[T & P]

That's made me well up that has - not just for him and it is a sad loss, but also the wider fact that so many people turned up out of love for a gay man and drag performer gives me a little bit of hope that maybe the entire world isn't shit and bigoted, no matter what the level of toxic shite on twitter looks like some days.

Yeah, this was a rare bit of heartwarming news even though it actually concerned a person’s funeral. The shots of countless people and more importantly countless dogs lining the route was brilliant, and I’m sure he could not have wished for anything better than that. If there were to be an afterlife after all, Mr O’Grady will be very happy and beaming at the sending off he got

 

[Humberto]

Should have one for Dixie Dean too. One at Goodison, fair enough, but he was from Birkenhead. Most goals scored ever in a top flight season. Cos he was rock.