29 March 2023 , 09:28
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Zoe Ball paid tribute to "dear friend" and former colleague Paul O'Grady on BBC Radio 2 earlier this morning, following the news that the beloved comedian had died.
It was announced today that Paul died, aged 67, "unexpectedly but peacefully" yesterday evening (March 28), with the news shared by his husband Andre Portasio.
There has been an outpouring of tributes this morning, including from his former colleague Zoe, 52, who addressed the news on her BBC breakfast radio show earlier.
Zoe said at the start of the show: "We are all heavy of heart here this morning with the news [about] our dear friend Paul O'Grady". She paid tribute throughout the show.
Zoe Ball (left), pictured with Gaby Roslin (right), paid tribute to late former colleague Paul O'Grady (centre) this morning (Oliver Dixon/REX/Shutterstock)The presenter - who worked with the late comedian on the Big Breakfast and was later a colleague at BBC Radio 2 - described the news as "heartbreaking" on her show.
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Zoe - who expressed condolences with Paul's loved one and recalled memories of him during the show this morning - told listeners that she "loved and adored him".
Discussing his career, she said: "We loved Paul as Lily Savage. A true pioneer with things he did with Lily back in the day. His tea-time chat shows were fabulous."
She further commented: "Game shows like Blankety Blank and of course his shows on Sunday here with Radio 2, fourteen years, [he was] on the airwaves."
It came after Paul's husband Andre Portasio announced that the comedian had died (WireImage)The radio host noted that listeners had seen him in recent weeks as Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie. And she commented that he had "all of the energy as always".
She also played clips from interviews with Paul, including one in which he had recalled someone coming up to him on the street and asking for advice about a rash.
She said: "The thing about Paul, whenever people bumped into him in the street you always felt you could share anything with him. [...] He just felt like such a friend to everyone."
"I know he touched so many hearts with his wicked sense of humour. [...] Rest well gorgeous man. [...] Superstar, give them hell up there my darling," she said on the show.