Statue tribute to Paul O'Grady gets closer as petition soars to 100,000 backers

05 April 2023 , 18:50

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Paul O'Grady passed away last month (Image: ITV)

More than 100,000 people want a statue of TV star Paul O’Grady in his home town.

The much-loved Birkenhead host, 67, famous for drag alter-ego Lily Savage, died last week.

Council chiefs in Merseyside have been asked to erect a memorial to Paul, similar to the one of late entertainer Cilla Black at Liverpool’s Cavern Club.

Resident Kieran Gabriel, who started the petition, said Wirral Council must take stock of the outpouring of love after Paul’s death. He added: “Liverpool has Cilla, Birkenhead deserves Paul.”

The Change.org petition hit 100,000 signatures in five days.

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The council said it will honour Paul in 2024 but did not confirm if it is a permanent tribute.

Supporters are calling for a statue to be erected in tribute to Paul

David Armstrong, assistant chief executive, added: “We are working on honouring Paul’s life, career and the causes he championed, including a fitting celebration as part of our borough of culture events next year.”

Pal Malcolm Prince was at the home of LGBT rights supporter Paul before he died. He told Radio Times: “We’d two hours of fun and two hours later he was gone.” A fundraiser for Battersea Dogs and Cats home, set up in Paul’s memory, has topped £230,000.

The ambassador filmed ITV ’s For the Love of Dogs there in 2012. Battersea chief Peter Laurie said its tribute “will support the animals Paul loved so much and make him proud”.

To sign the petition or to find out more information visit here.

Ashleigh Rainbird