Paul O’Grady fans break down in tears over Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank tribute episode after shock death
PAUL O’Grady fans broke down in tears over the Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank tribute episode after his shock death.
Paul passed away suddenly earlier this week at the age of 67 with his husband Andre by his side.
His shock death has prompted the TV channels he had worked on during his long and impressive career to make changes so they can pay tribute in their own way.
Tonight, BBC One aired an episode of Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank, which Paul had hosted as his iconic drag alter ego from 1997 to 2002.
The episode featured guests Rebecca Callard, Sophie Lawrence, Davina McCall, Sir Ian McKellen, Gray O’Brien and the late Dale Winton.
It aired at 7pm and within minutes of it starting, fans were in tears over his sad passing, and full of praise for his talent as the fabulous and feisty Lily.
Taking to Twitter, one wrote: “Lily Savage hosting Blankety Blank right now on BBC1 RIP #PaulOGrady you genius, you’ll be missed” alongside crying emojis.
Another added: “OMG! BBC1 are showing an episode of Blankety Blank with Lily Savage. I’m laughing and crying simultaneously!”
A third tweeted: “Watching #LilySavage #BlanketyBlank. Paul O’Grady being an absolute legend as Lily when presenting the show”.
Meanwhile a fourth shared: “Reliving my childhood on BBC1 watching Lily Savage’s #BlanketyBlank. RIP Paul O’Grady. You were amazing.”
Paul’s tribute episode replaced the scheduled edition of Blankety Blank that was set to air at the same time.
That episode was set to feature current Blankety Blank host Bradley Walsh, who took over when the quiz was rebooted for a Christmas Special in 2020.
Blankety Blank airs on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.