Paul O’Grady fans admitted they “didn’t get to watch” The Life and Death of Lily Savage, as ITV marked the first anniversary of her tragic death.
Viewers cried as the broadcaster celebrated and paid tribute to the dog lover with an emotional documentary about her drag alter ego, Lily Savage.
The comedian died a year ago from an unexpected cardiac arrhythmia, leaving thousands of mourners across the UK heartbroken.
Paul, who was a social worker in Birkenhead before moving to London, began his glittering showbiz career as a drag performer in the 1980s.
She would tour local pubs and clubs across the UK as the iconic Lily Savage.
Paul O’Grady fans ‘couldn’t watch’ The Life and Death of Lily Savage as ITV marked the first anniversary of her tragic death.
Viewers cried as the broadcaster celebrated and paid tribute to the dog lover with an emotional documentary about her drag alter ego, Lily Savage.
From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for her performance.
She then launched a show, Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which became a box office hit.
Once he established himself as a national hit, Paul was asked to bring his act to mainstream television, something that, at the time, his comedy was unheard of on television.
The moving documentary followed her rise to fame and success as she played Lily on The Big Breakfast and then BBC quiz show Blankety Blank.
The film also delved into the role Paul played in the campaign for gay rights during the AIDS crisis and how he came from a working-class background.
Lily was hailed as a voice that was needed in a time when people in the gay community were treated like “lepers.”
Footage from the beginning of his career was played of the drag character’s first performances.
It was accompanied by a soft voiceover where Paul spoke about Lily in the third person.
The comedian died a year ago from an unexpected cardiac arrhythmia, leaving thousands of mourners across the UK heartbroken.
The moving documentary followed her rise to fame and success as she played Lily on The Big Breakfast and then BBC quiz show Blankety Blank.
Hearing his voice on television brought many fans to tears as they remembered Paul’s good heart and open mind.
Many took to social media to reveal that they could no longer watch the show and were struggling to listen to it on their TV again.
One of them wrote: “I’m not emotionally stable enough to watch the Paul O’Grady thing tonight.” To be honest, I don’t think it ever will be. I grew up watching it.
‘I’m very sorry, Pablo. I couldn’t see it, he made me cry just thinking about how beautiful you were and how we lost so much when you left us.
“I can’t stand this Lily Savage documentary.”
“4 minutes into The Life and Death of Lily Savage and I’m already an emotional wreck.”
‘Laughing and shedding a tear. God, I miss Lily Savage. From the old days, a Thursday night at the Vauxhall Tavern, then a complete flea pit, to widespread mania. Lily and Paul O’Grady. Very missed. Both.’
“I feel a little emotional hearing Paul’s voice again as he speaks in this documentary about him and Lily Savage.”
“Seeing this and it’s already sad to hear Paul aka Lily’s voice.”
When Paul passed away, his partner, Andre Portasio, took to social media to announce the artist’s devastating passing.
He said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday afternoon.
Many took to social media to reveal that they could no longer watch the show and were struggling to listen to it again on their TV.
‘He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
“I know he would want me to thank you for all the love you’ve shown him over the years.”
Paul began performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s and, in 1997, launched The Lily Savage Show on the BBC.
He revived Blankety Blank until 2002 and went on to present several chat shows, including ITV’s teatime show The Paul O’Grady Show from 2004 to 2005, before moving to Channel 4.
In 2017, she replaced Cilla Black in Channel 5’s Blind Date reboot, while over the years, she also fronted ITV’s For The Love of Dogs, which was linked to her role as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Shortly before he died, Paul left BBC Radio 2 after 14 years, stating at the time that he was unhappy with sharing its Sunday afternoon slot.
He was scheduled to join Boom Radio on Easter Sunday 2023.
Shortly before he died, Paul left BBC Radio 2 after 14 years, stating at the time that he was unhappy with sharing its Sunday afternoon slot. He was scheduled to join Boom Radio on Easter Sunday 2023.