Paul O'Grady fans stunned as his TV breakthrough in The Bill as police informant Roxanne resurfaces | The Sun
BRITISH icon and TV legend Paul O'Grady has tragically died, his husband has confirmed.
The Lily Savage and Radio 2 star passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" yesterday evening.
Paul, 67, became a household name, a much-loved presenter and TV personality over his five decade career.
But some may not realise that Paul first shot to fame as Roxanne, an informant of DS Ted Roach in three episodes of The Bill.
The TV star appeared in the police drama between 1988 and 1990.
The character did make a comeback in 2000, but was played by a different actor.
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Paul husband Andre Portasio shared the sad news and 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."
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Paul started off working the drag circuit with his act across pubs and clubs, and as he grew popular he eventually toured the country.
From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed annually as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for his act.
Paul followed this with a show titled Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which proved to be a sell-out.
He went on to host Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast for a year in the mid-Nineties, as alter ego Lily.
He then fronted BBC game show Blankety Blank from 1998 to 2002, as Lily, and in 2004 landed his own teatime chat slot, The Paul O’Grady Show, on Channel 4.
In 2008, he got an MBE and in 2010 the National Television Awards Special Recognition gong.
O'Grady took over the reins from Blind Date's long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.
The comedian was married to former-professional ballerina Andre Portasio in 2017 after the pair began dating in 2006.
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At the time a close friend told The Sun: “Paul is as happy as he’s ever been to be married to Andre."
Paul had one daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen in 1974.
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