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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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”.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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
Beloved Manc butty shop Bada Bing set for a sensational return to the city centre
Danny Jones
Sandwich lovers rejoice because one of the finest butty shops to ever grace Manchester is returning: that’s right, Bada Bing is bada-back!
The Sopranos-inspired deli and sandwich shop that took its name from one of the central locations featured in the iconic US drama (yes, the strip club), was a huge success when it first opened in Manchester a few short years ago, so it was a huge blow when it closed in February 2022.
Starting out by serving sandwiches out of a window at The B Lounge pub on Paton Street near Piccadilly, before moving to a small kitchen on Radium Street and eventually setting up their stall inside Ancoats General Store, they would regularly have lines around the block every lunchtime.
These Italian-American sarnies were so popular you’d often struggle to get your claws on one – and believe us, they really are a two-handed task – as they’d sell out on what felt like most days. But now, whether you were a regular or someone who missed out, there is hope once again:
Announcing their sensational return to a new site over in the Northern Quarter, which will now mark the fourth premises they’ve popped up at, Bada Bing is back with a bang and, as you can, they dropped the news with one of the best reveal videos we’ve ever seen.
If you know, you know…
Set to take over 125 Oldham Street, owners Sam Gormally and Meg Lingenfelter haven’t yet graced us with an opening date but the new unit should hopefully be open sooner rather than later.
The duo, who previously worked at fellow NQ favourite Another Heart to Feed, came up with the concept during lockdown and it didn’t take long for the idea to take off, nor for them to earn their spot amongst the very best sandwich places in Manchester.
Seriously, these things were so big and unwieldy (in the best way possible) that they even used to come with eating instructions: both hands and the trademark Tony Soprano hunch recommended, though the slightly stained wife-beater, boxer shorts and open dressing gown look is optional.
From slices of provolone cheese, all the thinly sliced Italian meats you could think of and the closest thing to actual ‘gabagool‘ as you’ll find in Greater Manchester, the menu was fitting of being served up to the iconic characters that once sat outside Satriale’s and a big approving grin from the man himself.
Simply put, we cannot wait and we will certainly keep you posted when we find out exactly when Bada Bing confirms their official reopening date.
Will Mellor’s new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims airs tonight
Emily Sergeant
A new BBC documentary about real-life victims from the Post Office scandal fronted by Will Mellor is hitting TV screens tonight.
As the country finally starts to wake up to the full scale of the Post Office scandal – which involved the British postal service pursuing thousands of innocent subpostmasters for apparent financial shortfalls caused by faults in an accounting software system between 1999 and 2015 – actor Will Mellor is on a mission to find out what happened to the real-life sub-postmasters in this new BBC documentary.
The Stockport-born actor famously played the part of Lee Castleton in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, and says he feels a “real affinity” will the families he spoke to for the programme.
For the new documentary and accompanying five-part BBC Sounds podcast series – which is titled Surviving the Post Office – Will actually speaks to Mr Castleton himself, as well as four other affected people and their families whose lives have been “torn apart”.
Will Mellor has fronted a new BBC documentary about real-life Post Office scandal victims / Credit: ITV
Surviving the Post Office ventures to all four corners of England, including East Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and Cornwall, as Will discovers that many of the sub-postmasters want to “take back control of their lives”.
According to the BBC, for some facing the past, that proves to be a “troubling experience”, while for others, it ends up being a “liberating” step forwards.
As well as exploring the financial losses for many, including the people featured in the documentary and podcast series, Will also gets to find out how they are coping with their emotions, trying to move on from the whole ordeal, and how the victims are finding support in unexpected ways.
📢 Actor Will Mellor meets the real-life victims of the Post Office scandal in a brand new documentary from BBC Local
Surviving The Post Office is coming to @BBCOne and @BBCiPlayer tonight at 8.30pm. The podcast series is on @BBCSounds now
“I feel a real affinity with these families, so it was a privilege to hear their stories for this documentary and podcast,” Will said ahead of the documentary airing on BBC One.
“What shocked me the most after meeting so many sub-postmasters is just how far the impact and trauma has spread – the effect it’s had on people’s health, their children, and their whole communities has been massive.”