ASK a cabbie who their favourite celebrity passenger is, and invariably there is one common response: “Paul O’Grady.”
Paul was a man’s man.
He was a woman’s man.
As his alter ego Lily Savage, he was everyone’s woman.
And as a human being, he was beloved by dogs.
To say Paul had the common touch is both an understatement and condescending.
It doesn’t go far enough.
Paul was overwhelmingly talented, charismatic and modest: three qualities mutually exclusive in the majority of stars.
He was as adored by royalty — he latterly struck up a friendship with Queen Consort Camilla — as he was by the man on the street.
A campaigner, in so many areas, Paul had the heart and courage of a lion.
That he’s not around today to see the outpouring of love for him is heartbreaking.
But wherever Paul is now, he’ll be making someone smile.
