Lorraine Kelly reflected lovingly on Paul O’Grady’s farewell appearance on her ITV morning programme after his passing at the age of 67.
On Wednesday’s Lorraine, the Scottish broadcaster, 63, paid homage to the renowned comedian and TV presenter, who died “unexpectedly but peacefully.”
The host had earlier expressed her sympathies on Twitter, as did other celebrities such as Carol Vorderman and Vernon Kay.
Lorraine began the show with a footage of the Blind Date star and stated that his death had come as a “complete shock.”
He was regarded as the “kindest and funniest man,” and his drag act, Lily Savage, was “absolutely groundbreaking and pioneering.”
Lorraine remembered the last time the Blankety Blank presenter appeared on her program, just before Christmas last year, as she paid homage to him.
O’Grady, an animal enthusiast who hosted the show For the Love of Dogs, had come on to talk about pet adoption.
‘There was one thing he couldn’t stop: acquiring small pets,’ Lorraine recalled.
During the video, O’Grady stated that he was no longer authorised to take in more pets because it was “in his contract” with Battersea Cats & pets Home.
‘Try and stop me,’ he had joked.
On Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid paid homage to O’Grady, fighting back tears as she spoke of his ‘far too early’ passing.
Her co-host Martin Lewis added: ‘The thing about Paul, and I hope people forgive me for saying this.
‘You don’t know whether to smile or be sad right now, I’m torn between those two emotions because he was such a funny man and when you think about him it makes you smile he was funny, and then you remember he’s gone.’
Lorraine airs weekdays from 9am on ITV.
