30 March 2023 , 08:50
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Paul O'Grady's friend Linda Thorson struggled to control her emotions on Good Morning Britain as she paid tribute to the late performer.
Opening up to Susanna Reid and Adil Ray, the former Avengers actress began: "He would have tea with the Queen. She liked him a a lot, he would go and they would have a really nice time and a chat and then he'd have the postman to dinner.
"The house in Kent people came in and house, Christmas there was divine. We would just love, generous, food, he's make these fabulous omelettes and play music."
Linda said Paul was "generous to a fault" and she "will never meet anyone like him" as her voice began to break.
(ITV)Breaking down in tears, she continued: "He was a king among men. He was just a friend. He cared about me, he actually cared about me and I felt that and you don't feel that, that often."
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Earlier in the interview, Linda made reference to GMB's chat with Energy Secretary Grant Shapps and described the exchange as "b*****t".
"He can't stand what goes on, this b*****t we just had to listen to, it's just repetitive it's the same," she said.
Susanna stepped into apologise as Linda said: "He could just not stand [the Conservative] Party and what they've done, he was very outspoken."
Linda went on to explain that she spoke to her close friend hours before he died and she "can't believe" the iconic presenter is no longer alive.
"He was so happy, full of life," she added before conceding: "But he died in his own bed, his husband was there, Andre the most divine man who he has been with for many years. He's only 41, he will be so bereft of Paul, he worshipped Paul."
The presenter and comedian died at the age of 67 on Tuesday "unexpectedly but peacefully".
Linda spoke about her close friendship with the iconic star (ITV)Friends of the star paid tribute to the star who rose to fame with his drag queen persona Lily Savage.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, TV presenter Carol Vorderman said: "He just fizzed, he was one of those people that just made you feel every part of you was alive.
"He exploded through the daft, made-up rules of society. He was a massive talent, but you can't forget he was a social worker when he was younger, he saved babies and young children from abuse, he lived in Soho before it was gentrified, he never judged the vulnerable, the weak, the misunderstood."
Paul was described as a "really special man" by ITV's Lorraine Kelly. "Such sad news. Paul O'Grady - funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise," she tweeted. "Will be sorely missed."
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Writing on Instagram, TV host Amanda Holden said the presenter was "strong, funny, opinionated, no-nonsense, brilliant."
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