A mural of Paul O’Grady painted as a tribute to the TV great has been vandalised and covered over just days after it was created.
The beautiful black-and-white portrait, depicting Paul with a Springer Spaniel, was painted by local artist Manchester Murals along the Fallowfield Loop.
But it didn’t take long before the mural was defaced.
Initially, the artwork was damaged by a green spray-painted tag – but over the weekend it’s been almost completely covered.
At the time the street art was completed, Manchester Murals, aka Chris Moore, posted: “A mural celebrating the life of Paul O’Grady.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Paul always seemed like a well-grounded entertainment machine that spanned generations, was one of the nation’s favourite drag artists and through his love for animals he was an ambassador for @battersea where he helped raise their profile. Only felt right to include a dog in his mural.
“Thanks for everything, Paul! Rest well.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Several people who have headed to the Fallowfield Loop to see the tribute have now shared photos of the state it’s been left in.
In response, Chris confirmed that if he did paint another mural, it wouldn’t be on that wall.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he added: “It would have been nice for it to last longer. I only finished it on Thursday so it’s not even been three days since it was created.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I can kind of understand people’s disappointment in that the mural has only lasted as long as it has, especially given how recent his passing was, but, ultimately and unfortunately, this is part of the nature of the street art and mural scene.”
A tribute fund set up by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has already raised more than £200,000.
The animal shelter, of which Paul was an ambassador, wrote: “Battersea joins the nation in mourning the loss of Paul O’Grady – an entertainment legend and much-loved Ambassador to our charity. We’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and friends.
“To millions Paul O’Grady is the popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth. Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell 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.
“Paul loved Battersea so much and we cannot thank him enough for everything he did for our charity and for rescue animals worldwide. We will forever be indebted to him for his endless generosity and support.”
Tyson and Paris Fury reveal baby name – and it’s a touching tribute
Daisy Jackson
Tyson Fury and his wife Paris have revealed the name they have given their newborn baby, and it’s a beautiful family tribute.
The beautiful baby boy, who was born 18 September, is their seventh child together.
Today, in an exclusive with OK! Magazine, Paris Fury confirmed that they’ve settled on a name for the tiny new addition.
He is called Prince Rico Paris Fury, but will be known as Rico.
His name is a tribute to Tyson’s cousin Rico Burton, who died after being stabbed outside a bar in Altrincham.
Heavyweight boxer Tyson said at the time that there needed to be higher sentences for knife crime after the death of his cousin, saying: “Life is very precious and it can be taken away very quick, enjoy every moment.”
The baby’s middle name is a tribute to his mum Paris, 32, who has become a national treasure through their Netflix series At Home With The Tysons.
Paris said of the photoshoot: “I love this photo of his beautiful newborn smile. Love all the photos from this shoot.”
At the time of Rico’s birth, a delighted Tyson wrote: “He’s here and he’s perfect @parisfury1.”
All of the Fury’s sons share the same first name of Prince, with Tyson saying: “I’m a king and they’re princes until they earn their rightful name.”
Their other children are Venezuala Lynda, 14; Prince John James, 11; Prince Tyson II, seven; Valencia Amber, five; Prince Adonis Amaziah, four; and Athena Amour, two.
Tyson Fury, originally from Wythenshawe, married Paris in 2018 after they met as teenagers.
Manc fiancés brave enough to have their wedding planned by amateurs wanted for new series
Emily Sergeant
Just got engaged recently? Reckon you’d be brave enough to hand the wedding planning reins over to an amateur to sort out on your behalf?
Well, it sounds like you could be exactly what the BBC‘s looking for.
Casting directors behind one of the broadcaster’s newest smash-hit reality competition shows, Ultimate Wedding Planner, are currently planning for the next series of the show – which is set to hit our screens in 2024 – and are calling on engaged couples from Greater Manchester to put themselves forward for taking part.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the series, Ultimate Wedding Planner sees eight aspiring wedding planners battle it out to become the best of the best.
Six of Britain’s bravest couples agree to let them take control of the biggest day of their lives.
Manc fiancés brave enough to have their wedding planned by amateurs wanted for new series / Credit: BBC
Working to a budget, and under the watchful eye of the three celebrity judges, Fred Sirieix, Sara Davies, and Raj Somaiya, the aspiring planners have to upscale the design and guest experience for six real-life weddings.
They’re tasked with everything from organising table designs, floral centrepieces, aisle runners, menus, and bespoke themed installation builds, to arranging firework displays, acrobatics, dance troops, and even light displays.
Each episode, the aspiring planners have just three days to make the couples’ wildest dreams become a reality, and ultimately, “supersize their wedding day to transform it from ordinary to extraordinary”.
So, if you’re getting married in the UK next year, the BBC wants to hear from you.
Those who are ready to hand over control, and are keen for their wedding to be considered, are urged to get in touch with the BBC to register their interest.
At the moment, with a second series of the show only potentially in the works and still yet to be confirmed, the BBC wants interested couples to know that subject to having registered their interest, an online application form to complete for consideration will be sent out in due course.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd April 2023 
