Linda Thorson began to tear up on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain as she paid tribute to her friend Paul O’Grady after his death aged 67.
The Avengers star, 75, became emotional as she recalled Paul’s final moments, saying he died in his own bed with his husband Andre Portasio beside him.
Comedian Jenny Eclair also paid tribute to Paul, saying he ‘never lost track of his kindness’ as he found fame and success.
Speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Adil Ray, Linda said: ‘He would have tea with the Queen. She really liked him a lot, and then he’d have the postman for dinner.
‘He was generous to a fault, I’ll never meet anyone like him. He cared about me and I felt that. I can’t believe it, just to hang up the phone and hours later for someone to die, who was so happy, full of life.
Emotional: Linda Thorson began to tear up on Thursday’s Good Morning Britain as she paid tribute to her friend Paul O’Grady after his death aged 67
Heartbreaking: The Avengers star, 75, became emotional as she recalled Paul’s final moments, saying he died in his own bed with his husband Andre Portasio beside him
‘He died in his own bed and his husband was there, he’s only 41 Andre, he’ll be so bereft. We’ll all be there Andre.’
Speaking later, Jenny, 63, said: ‘I didn’t know him as well as Linda but I found it terribly moving listening to her.
‘I was a stand-up and Paul came on the scene as Lily Savage and you were blown back. Look at this! You can’t compete. He never lost track of his kindness, his genuineness.
‘The people that knew him best, I feel so desperately sorry for them because it’s terribly out of the blue. We all deal with these knocks.’
Paul became a household name in the early noughties, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a string of television programmes including his self-titled daytime chat show, The Paul O’Grady Show, which began airing in 2004.
He also took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, to host the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017. And he fronted Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s award-winning For The Love Of Dogs.
His husband Andre praised his ‘humour, wit and compassion’ in a statement announcing his death released just before 3am on March 29.
The father-of-one’s cause of death wasn’t immediately known, but he had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and also kidney failure. He also had a debiltating Covid battle that left him unable to work for two months.
Interview: Speaking to hosts Susanna Reid and Adil Ray, Linda said: ‘He would have tea with the Queen. She really liked him a lot, and then he’d have the postman for dinner’
Linda said: ‘He was generous to a fault, I’ll never meet anyone like him. He cared about me and I felt that’
She added: ‘He died in his own bed and his husband was there, he’s only 41 Andre, he’ll be so bereft. We’ll all be there Andre’
Heartfelt: Jenny Eclair also paid tribute to Paul, saying he ‘never lost track of his kindness, his genuineness’
In his statement, Andre said: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
‘We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
‘He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
‘I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.’
Paul and Andre were married during a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017.
