Paul O'Grady was 'so happy' and 'full of life' hours before death, says good friend
Actress Linda Thorson said her friend Paul O’Grady was “so happy” and “full of life” when she spoke to him hours before his death aged 67.The Avengers star, also known for being on the ITV soap Emmerdale, described the drag queen turned TV and radio presenter as a “king among men” who “really cared about me”. O’Grady, who began on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening, his partner, Andre Portasio, said in a statement.Tributes have been flooding in for the comedian, including from the Queen Consort, Sir Elton John, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies and MPs.Thorson, who said she first met the presenter on early-morning show The Big Breakfast, told Good Morning Britain: “Paul rang me on Tuesday, the day before yesterday, at three o’clock and we spoke for an hour.