EastEnders star Michelle Collins has urged her fans to sign a petition calling for a statue of Paul O’Grady.
Thousands of people are demanding that a tribute be built in his residence following the star’s tragic death last month.
The TV presenter, who died on March 28 at the age of 67, was originally from Birkenhead, Merseyside and now locals want to show their admiration for the star.
Michelle, 60, threw her weight behind the case and tweeted the link to her 198,000 Twitter followers on Thursday – the same day as Paul’s funeral.
The petition, which was set up on change.org last month, Friday passed as many as 200,000 signatures.
Supporting the cause: EastEnders star Michelle Collins has urged her fans to sign a petition calling for a statue of Paul O’Grady after she tweeted the link on Thursday
Kieran Gabriel, who kicked off the campaign, wrote: Paul O’Grady passed away suddenly on March 28 and it only feels right to honor the life of such a great human being by immortalizing him in the form of a statue in his hometown Birkenhead.
Paul left a huge legacy with his pioneering work as a drag performer, social and political causes, LGBT rights and of course his love for animals.
‘This is a petition to the Wirral Council, which certainly needs to take stock of the huge outpouring of love following Paul’s passing. Liverpool have Cilla, Birkenhead deserve Paul.’
Some who have signed the Change.org petition have suggested placing a few dogs around Paul’s statue in honor of his other work with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which has raised more than £100,000 in donations since his death received.
Others wrote tributes to the presenter, with one writing: ‘A statue is the right thing to do for such a pioneering human being. He was so down to earth, one of the people.’
Another commented, “Paul was the most caring and sweet man ever. And he deserves credit for all he’s done to help others and all those animals!’
Paul was a shelter ambassador paying tribute to the “devoted animal lover,” saying he was a “champion for the underdog.”
Last year he helped celebrate 160 years of the organization when he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs.
Following the news of Paul’s death, the organisation’s managing director Peter Laurie said: ‘Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centers .
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and such a great part of our charity.”
Support: Michelle, 60, put her weight behind the case and tweeted the link to her 198,000 Twitter followers on Thursday — the same day as Paul’s funeral
On Wednesday, Michelle gave fans an update after being rushed to hospital earlier this week.
She took to Twitter to assure that she was doing “really well” and that she had enjoyed a day of filming.
Posting the update with a series of snaps, Michelle could be seen frolicking in the countryside and beaming from ear to ear as she basked in the sun.
The soap star appeared in an extremely good mood as she raised her arms in joy and jumped out of the grass.
Great day #filming in #Northam. I’m very good ! #Thank you. Amazing cast and crew,” Michelle said alongside the post.
The actress is currently filming for a romantic drama called Melodrive.
Michelle certainly worried fans when she revealed she was rushed to hospital on Monday.
The actress admitted on Twitter that it had been a “worrying time,” but was quick to reassure her fans that she was on the mend.
She revealed, “Thank you @nhs @RoyalFreeNHS for seeing me at 9am this morning, it was a worrying time but hopefully everything is okay now. when it works the @NHSEngland is fantastic! Don’t destroy it. (sic)’
The next morning, Michelle revealed that she felt her best again when she took a selfie before working on a new project.
Things are going well: Star Michelle gave fans an update on her health on Instagram on Wednesday after being rushed to hospital earlier this week
