Paul O'Grady: TV presenter and comedian dies aged 67

Presenter and comedian Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67.

He passed "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening, his partner Andre Portasio said in a statement.

O'Grady rose to fame in the 1990s with his iconic scouse drag queen persona Lily Savage, going on to present game show Blankety Blank and other light entertainment programmes.

Later in his career, he went on to host a number of chat shows, and also brought his love of dogs to the screen.

"It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening," Mr Portasio said.

"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."

He had recently been on tour playing Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie.

Writing on Instagram a few weeks ago after returning from performing in Newcastle, O'Grady said he was "thoroughly enjoying" playing the role again after so long "especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast".

The broadcaster had also recently left BBC Radio 2 after 14 years, confirming reports it was because he was unhappy about sharing his Sunday afternoon slot.

He was due to present on Boom Radio in less than two weeks time for Easter Sunday.

One of O'Grady's most recent appearances was last year with Camilla, Queen Consort for a one-off episode of ITV's For The Love of Dogs - a series he helped launch in 2012, following the staff at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador.

O'Grady was born in Birkenhead, on the Wirral, Merseyside, in 1955, to a mother who's maiden name was Savage - which is believed to have inspired his famous drag act.

He began performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s. The drag queen later performed in a solo show that ran for eight years at London's Royal Vauxhall Tavern, and made a name by speaking out about LGBT issues.

Later he hosted chat show The Lily Savage Show for the BBC for a short run in 1997, before turning his hand to hosting a revived version of gameshow Blankety Blank, which remained on air until 2002.

He later hosted teatime programme The Paul O'Grady Show on ITV from 2004 to 2005, before moving with it to Channel 4.

He also took over the reins of presenting Blind Date from close friend Cilla Black, during a 2017 reboot of the show on Channel 5.

Throughout his career O'Grady won a TV Bafta, British Comedy Award and a National Television Award for The Paul O'Grady Show.

In 2008, he was made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours for services to entertainment.

O'Grady, who lived in Aldington, near Ashford, was appointed one of Kent's deputy lieutenants in November. The role is responsible for representing the King at events in the area.