How Paul O’Grady announced new show days before his death after bidding farewell to his Radio 2 listeners
NATIONAL treasure Paul O'Grady announced a new show just days before his death - after bidding farewell to his Radio 2 listeners.
The Lily Savage star's death was announced this morning by his husband Andre Portasio, whom he married in 2017.
Paul was set to host a weekend show on Boom radio after his departure from Radio 2 in August 2022 sparked an ageism row.
He said a scheduling change forcing him to share his Sunday afternoon slot with Rob Beckett was behind his departure.
O'Grady and Beckett had been swapping over every 13 weeks in the slot, after a shake-up to the station's schedule.
Ahead of his last show, O'Grady said he had decided to leave the programme as he "wasn't really happy" with the new arrangement.
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Speaking to his producer Malcolm Prince as he ended his final show, he said: "This is the last Sunday Paul O'Grady show here on Radio 2 ever.
"It's hard to say this, Malcolm, because it's been almost 14 years hasn't it.
"Do you know this is one of the longest jobs I've ever held down. I only came to do a few hours for Elaine Paige and look what happened."
After playing his last song, Friends by Bette Midler, he said: "So you look after yourselves, stay safe and well. Ta-ra everyone."
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His last show included many of his popular segments, including providing the recipe for a Hawaiian-style cocktail and paying tribute to listeners' pets who have recently died.
Paul was set to host a new weekend show on Boom Radio, telling the Mail just days before his death: "It's great to be working with the team at Boom again. It already feels like my new radio home."
It comes after the Queen Consort Camilla was "deeply saddened" by the death of national treasure Paul - saying that his "warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many";.
The Queen Consort had a special bond with Paul O'Grady and worked closely with him in their support of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
She will be sharing her sympathies with Paul's family privately in due course, the Palace said.
Husband Andre today 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."
Before he met Andre, Paul had a complicated family life involving a "marriage of convenience" and a daughter with another woman.