O’Grady was known and loved by British audiences as a comedian, presenter, broadcaster, actor, writer, and the former drag queen Lily Savage.
He was also one of the nation’s most-famous dog lovers and animal rights advocates.
A longtime supporter and ambassador of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, O’Grady notably helped raise the profile of the shelter to millions around the world through the hugely-popular ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs.
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But rather than focusing on his love for dogs, last night’s documentary was instead all about the love everyone had for Paul.
Viewers left ‘in tears’ after ITV airs emotional Paul O’Grady tribute documentary / Credit: ITV
Thousands tuned in to watch the one-hour documentary special, For The Love of Paul O’Grady, on ITV last night, as the much-loved TV presenter’s incredible career was celebrated and he was remembered and honoured by those who knew him best.
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O’Grady was remembered as a “force for good” by his famous friends.
Touching tributes were paid by Carol Vorderman, Julian Clary, Michael Cashman, and Jonathan Ross on the show, while former Labour Party leader Ed Milliband, actor Tony Maudsley, actresses Linda Thornton, Amanda Mealing, and Sally Lindsay, and TV presenter Gaby Roslin also shared their memories of O’Grady.
During and after the documentary aired on ITV, fans took to social media to share their thoughts and admit that they’d been left “in tears”.
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I’m in bits! Such a lovely tribute to a seriously funny & genuine man. The ending really broke me but I truly believe all the dogs over the rainbow bridge have him looking after them all. RIP Paul rest easy. 😘💔🌈🐾🐾 #fortheloveofpaulogrady
— Michelle Purdie (Rush) 🏴 (@purdie_michelle) April 9, 2023
Well that was a wonderful tribute but I’m in absolute bits after watching. We lost a real gem, didn’t we? #fortheloveofpaulogrady
“In tears tonight after watching ITV’s beautiful and poignant tribute to Paul O’Grady. Fly high lovely man, we are all going to miss you so much,” one fan said on Twitter.
Another fan on Twitter said they were “in bits”.
One fan wrote in reaction to the documentary: “I don’t think it has sunk in what we have all lost, from Lily Savage to the rescue dogs, what a man, what a legend and what a campaigner who never forgot where he came from.”
“He really was universally loved,” another fan said, “I have yet to hear anyone say a bad word against him. His humanity shone through. So very sad.”
As the show drew to a close, a message from Paul O’Grady’s husband, Andre Portasio, appeared on the screen.
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“On behalf of Paul O’Grady, his husband Andre Portasio would like to thank everyone for taking their time to send condolences. The family is overwhelmed with everyone’s kindness and generosity.”
Featured Image – Battersea
TV & Showbiz
Fairfield Social Club has been voted the Best Comedy Venue in the North
Danny Jones
Let’s toast another feather in Greater Manchester’s cultural cap as local arts venue, bar and hangout, Fairfield Social Club (FSC), has been named the Best Comedy Venue in the North.
That’s according to the much-revered annual Chortle Awards, the 2026 edition of which has named Fairfield not just one of the best in our specific city or region, but currently the benchmark for any live comedy spot located in the top half of the country.
And that’s not all: they actually took home another award this year, because why just win one when you can take home two?
For starters, congratulations are in order, and we couldn’t be prouder of our grassroots Manc venues continuing to set the bar; now let’s get into exactly what they won and why…
In addition to taking home the accolade for leading their field when it comes to hosting live comics and more, having quickly built up a strong reputation in the industry beyond just the North West, FSC also claimed a second gong, thanks to ‘CroppaChoppa’s Slumber Party‘.
The resident stand-up and sleepover games format show, which has been based over at the Green Quarter complex for some time now, just won Best New Comedy Format for the second year running.
Reacting to the consecutive awards, founder Charlotte Cropper said: “We are so thrilled to have won Best Comedy Format two years in a row! Lying our sleepover bag down at Fairfield Social Club is our favourite thing to do every month.
“Who knew a sleepover show with a misogynistic teddy bear mascot would become the best night of our lives?”
This, of course, is just one of many regular comedy-centric events happening throughout the FSC calendar – and you really should going along if you haven’t before.
Speaking on an incredible year all-round, Fairfield Social Club’s GM and live bookings manager, Jessie Perillo, added: “We’ve spent the last year building a comedy programme we’re really proud of; it’s one that supports emerging talent while also attracting some of the biggest names touring right now.
“To have both the venue and the shows recognised nationally is a dream and as a comedy lover myself, I couldn’t be happier!
“We’ve got some incredible new shows lined up over the next few months that we can’t wait to announce, and launching ‘A Lovely Weekend’ is just the beginning of what’s to come.”
Congrats again and well done to all those involved in helping keep Manchester-based humour and live arts on the comedy map; we can’t wait to see what else in store for 2026. Speaking of…
Featured Images — Press shots/Em Humble (supplied via Fairfield Social Club)
TV & Showbiz
The Oldham Man and The Sea: the documentary about the Latics owner’s record-breaking Atlantic voyage
Danny Jones
It doesn’t matter if you’re not an Athletic fan or native to the borough; we think everyone should go along to watch the much-anticipated documentary about football club owner Frank Rothwell and his record-breaking journey across the Atlantic Ocean: The Oldham Man And The Sea.
One of the simplest and most satisfying names for a film we’ve heard in a long time.
For anyone who doesn’t know about the Oldham Athletic FC chairman turned OBE’s incredible story, Frank Rothwell has set multiple records with his impressive sea-faring feats in recent times.
This new doc, which just premiered at this year’s Manchester Film Festival, charts his latest trip across one of the biggest bodies of water on the planet in March 2024.
As you can see from the recent trailer, it’s almost as arduous a tale as the original Hemingway story.
This movie – produced by Journeyman Pictures and Chief Productions – made its full debut at the Odeon in Great Northern Warehouse for MFF 2026, and is set to have a number of other screenings in and around Greater Manchester in the coming weeks and months.
One of those is happening rather soon, in fact, over at Saddleworth’s Millgate Arts Centre on Saturday, 28 March, which is ideal for those local to the region; grab your tickets now.
ln fact, there’s also one happening even closer to his hometown the following month, with Oldham’s very own Queen Elizabeth Hall also hosting a special screening of Rothwell’s incredible achievement.
You can reserve your seats for that one right HERE.
Having not only become the eldest (70) Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge finisher back in 2021, but now holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest person to ever complete the crossing while rowing solo at 73 years old, he’s become nothing short of a local hero – and that’s just his stewardship of the Latics…
The film does, obviously, touch on his time at the helm of the League Two side, who finally returned to the EFL last June, but the heart and soul of this inspiring watch is the sail itself.
More importantly, it also documents not just the gruelling nature of the 64-day, seven-hour and 53-minute trek, but also how Frank has now helped raise more than £1.4 million on behalf of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
What an absolute icon.
Hopefully, this should be just about all the reason you need to watch The Oldham Man And The Sea the very next opportunity you get to do so – and, of course, all proceeds from ticket sales will also be going to charity, because just the kind of bloke he is.
And here’s hoping we get a streaming version sometime soon.
Emily Sergeant -
10th April 2023 
