Tribute to Paul O'Grady

Words cannot express how our country mourned the loss of Paul O’Grady. He was a gifted entertainer that could unite people with laughter. He was more than just a comedian, he was a friend. Down the streets of Liverpool to the local entertainment in Blackpool, his influence could be seen everywhere. He had the nation smiling. His smile brightened everyone’s day, and he made you feel welcome.

His kindness was off the scale. It knew no bounds. If anyone wanted a helping hand, he would be there to give it. He remains a genuine advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. What I always liked about him was his bravery in standing up against the corruption and those without a voice. He knew when to make you laugh.

Throughout his life, Paul O’Grady shared a love for animals, especially dogs. He was so dedicated to his pets, wherever he was, he would have his pet. I remember the powerful bond he had with Buster. He made Buster a real star. That’s how I knew his shows about animals were genuine and not just for money.

Paul O’Grady had a heart of gold. His accomplishments as a comedian are brilliant, but his heart is what makes him who he is. His drag persona, Lily Savage was a brilliant character. When he had his chat show, he took interest in what his guests had to say.

I remember watching The Paul O'Grady Show with my family, and feeling like he was part of our lives. He was someone we could always count on to make us laugh and lift our spirits. And his beloved dog, Buster, was always by his side, a loyal companion who shared in his adventures and brought joy to so many.

The world may be a little dimmer without Paul in it, but we can take comfort in the fact that he lived a life filled with love and laughter.

His legacy will live on through his work and the memories he created, and he will always be remembered as a true national treasure. Rest in peace, Paul, and know that you will be forever missed and loved.

Outside of Lily Savage, Paul also did many wonderful things. As Lily Savage, he brought humour, warmth and laughter across all generations. Everything Paul O'Grady was in, weather he was in character or not is gold. I always remembered looking forward to seeing The Paul O'Grady Show with my nana and aunt on the television after school. We loved seeing his beloved dog, Buster. My aunt was lucky enough to be in the audience of one of his shows. She said it was one of the best moments of her life.

There were some things I didn't know about him until recently. How he married a lesbian barmaid so she couldn't be deported out of the U.K. Paul O'Grady used his show to get animals rehomed. He also ordered the TV company he worked with to create jobs and post them in the job centre so everybody had a chance. The diversity and inclusion that he wanted, proved that he wanted everybody to have the chance of a lucky break that he got.

He was a loving father and grandfather, and a beloved friend to so many. He was one of those celebrities who felt like part of the furniture. He had a show in the UK called The Love of Dogs where he showed all the work that the animal shelters and vets did. The fact he helped so many dogs get re-homed, and that helped many be prevented of being put down that didn't need to be.

His passion for animals is a wonderful thing to see. He loves animals, but his one big passion is dogs. His beloved pet, Buster was his partner in crime and they had great chemistry on the TV set. Paul O'Grady will be heavily missed by the whole nation. But let's take comfort that Paul is finally reunited with his beloved dog, Buster.