Publishing pays tribute to Paul O’Grady

Paul O’Grady’s publishers have paid tribute to the entertainer, comedian and presenter, who has died aged 67. In a statement, O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio said he died “unexpectedly but peacefully".

O’Grady rose to fame in the 1990s with his drag persona Lily Savage, and in the 2000s became a television presenter of shows including "The Paul O’Grady Show". He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honours for services to entertainment.

He also wrote numerous books, including five with Transworld from At My Mother’s Knee in 2008 to Country Life in 2017. In 2021 he signed a “major” deal with HarperCollins Children’s Books for his début children’s novel and first in a planned series, Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang. Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang: The Amsterdam Adventure followed in March 2022.

A spokesperson from Transworld told The Bookseller: “We at Transworld Publishers are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Paul. Paul published five volumes of memoir with Transworld [and] the joy these books brought to hundreds of thousands of readers was matched by their critical acclaim. Poet Carol Ann Duffy applauded his début, saying it ‘distinguishes on every level’ while Jilly Cooper praised his ‘funny and touching’ second memoir The Devil Rides Out with the words ‘I defy anyone not to enjoy this book’.

“We are so very proud to have been Paul’s publishers and to have worked alongside him for many years. Such was the intimate nature of Paul’s writing, everyone who read his books feels like they knew him personally. But of course, it is those closest to him who will feel his loss most keenly. Our heartfelt condolences go to Paul’s husband Andre, his daughter Sharon, and all his family.”

Alison Barrow, who was his publicist for 10 years, said it was “such shocking and sad news”. She wrote on social media: “I was so very lucky to work for over 10 years with brilliant, funny, kind, fearless, wise Paul O’Grady promoting his volumes of memoir. I adored him.”

A spokesperson from HarperCollins said: “We are devastated to learn of the death of our author, the beloved writer, broadcaster and comedian Paul O’Grady. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.”

O’Grady sold 1.8 million books for £16.5m, with his memoir At My Mother’s Knee his bestseller on 723,545 copies sold.