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
That was a beautiful tribute to Paul O’Grady. I’d have watched at least another hour of wonderful memories. Such an emotional end to the episode. There will never be anyone like him again. A true one-off. So sorely missed. #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
Mancs wanted to test their willpower in the wilderness for ‘life-changing’ cash prize in new TV show
Emily Sergeant
Mancs who are willing to put their willpower to the test in a bid to win a ‘life-changing’ cash prize are wanted for a new TV show.
Are you prepared to take on the ultimate test of willpower? Channel 4 is currently casting for the potential next series of the smash-hit show, Tempting Fortune, and is calling on brave people from across Greater Manchester to apply to take part.
Tempting Fortune is described as being a ‘groundbreaking social experiment’.
Filmed in a distant paradise, this epic series full of twists and turns – which ended its gripping second season last Sunday (6 April) – gives a group of regular people the chance to take part in an adventure ‘with a twist’ and earn a ‘substantial cash reward’ at the end of it.
Mancs willing to test their willpower in the wilderness are wanted for a new TV show / Credit: Channel 4
But what stands in the way of that cash prize is the wilderness, and contestants will be tasked with grappling with the elements, the terrain, and their own willpower along the way.
A casting call for the potential upcoming next series of the show on the Channel 4 website reads: “We are casting for fun, diverse individuals from all different backgrounds.
“We are looking for applicants who are excited by the challenge of embarking on a new adventure that will test them both physically and mentally.”
Find out more and apply on the Channel 4 website here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
TV & Showbiz
Stockport’s Aimee Lou Wood slams SNL for ‘mean and unfunny’ White Lotus sketch
Danny Jones
Stopfordian White Lotus star, Aimee Lou Wood, has fired back at Saturday Night Live (SNL) following a new skit that has been equally slammed by others on social media for mocking her.
Wood was the subject of a recent skit on SNL entitled ‘The White Potus’, in which her physical appearance and voice were heavily parodied.
The Bramhall-born actor is best known for her roles in Netflix’s Sex Education, Daddy Issues – the BBC Three comedy filmed in Stockport – and now the hit HBO show, White Lotus, becoming an increasingly household name both in Britain and in the US.
Unfortunately, it is her increasingly recognisable face that the long-running sketch comedy show seemingly targeted as one of their jokes last week, and now Aimee Lou Wood has commented on the controversy, confessing that she was left hurt by the jokes.
Replying to an Instagram post which read, “YOU ARE STUNNING. PERIOD”, a first response to what has been labelled an ‘insensitive’ sketch was coaxed out of her, with Wood writing: “Whilst in honest mode – I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny.”
The 31-year-old has since gone on to continue discussing the matter in multiple IG stories, reiterating that while she is not “thin-skinned”, understands the show and has enjoyed it even of late, she would have liked something done in a “more nuanced, less cheap way.”
She went on to say: “On a positive note, everyone is agreeing with me about it, so I’m glad I said something instead of going in on myself.”
The Greater Manchester native has been hit with a wave of support online, with many pointing out that everyone else parodied was a political figure except her, as Wood also noted that the rest of the sketch was “punching up” until it came to her teeth and Mancunian accent.
Wood insisted that she didn’t take issue with the SNL cast member who played her, Sarah Sherman, but more the content of the joke, adding that the joke was about fluoride (i.e. toothpaste) and that she has “big teeth not bad teeth.” She also qualified that claims about her treatment by HBO were false.
Credit: Screenshots via IG
Wood has since revealed that SNL – which is aired by US network NBC – have now sent their apologies, though she hasn’t detailed exactly what message(s) received state.
It looks like the SK local is now hoping to draw a line under the whole thing, but she is still being met with an outpouring of love and support from her followers and fellow famous names.
One of those who came to her defence is former Channel 4 presenter and The Good Place star Jameela Jamil, who wrote: “I hate this so much. It’s the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor. Our next Olivia Coleman…
“We make fun of the assimilation of women, then mercilessly obsess over anyone with any slightly alternative features […] I also think she’s so f***ing beatiful and love her face so much and wouldn’t want her to look any different.”
Emily Sergeant -
10th April 2023 
