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More than 80,000 people sign petition for a Paul O'Grady statue

Home> News

Updated 14:34 15 Apr 2023 GMT+1Published 05:38 5 Apr 2023 GMT+1

More than 80,000 people sign petition for a Paul O'Grady statue

They're calling on the local council to immortalise the TV presenter and comedian's legacy.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

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A campaign to have a statue of Paul O'Grady made in his hometown is gathering momentum.

The UK was collectively devastated when the TV presenter, comedian and drag queen unexpectedly died last week.

The sudden news sparked a wave of mourning across Britain as many shared their fondest memories of Paul and his drag persona Lily Savage from the past few decades.

However, it appears his legacy could be immortalised in Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula.

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A Change.org petition has been launched online and it has already attracted tens of thousands of signatures.

The person who kicked off this campaign wrote: "It only feels right to honour the life of such a great human being by immortalising him in statue form, in his hometown of Birkenhead.

"Paul has left a huge legacy with his trailblazing work as a drag artist, social and political causes, LGBT rights and of course, his love of animals.

Paul O'Grady died at the age of 67.
Instagram/@paulogrady

"This is a petition to the Wirral Council, who must surely take stock of the huge outpouring of love in the wake of Paul's passing. Liverpool has Cilla, Birkenhead deserves Paul."

Since it was launched last week, it's had more than 82,000 sign their names to the cause.

O'Grady's death was confirmed by husband Andre Portasio.

He issued a statement in the middle of the night, which said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.

"He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.

"I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."

Some who have signed the Change.org petition have suggested there be a few dogs around Paul's statue to honour his other work.

WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo

In addition to Andre, Paul leaves behind five beloved rescue dogs.

O'Grady was an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, which paid tribute to the 'devoted animal lover', saying he was a 'champion for the underdog'.

Last year, O'Grady helped celebrate 160 years of the organisation when he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs.

The organisation’s chief executive, Peter Laurie, said: “Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.

“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.”

It's unclear how many signatures it will take for Wirral Council to get on board with the idea, but it can't hurt to have as many as possible.

Featured Image Credit: Imageplotter / Alamy Stock Photo. Peter Phillips / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: Celebrity, Paul O'Grady

Stewart Perrie
Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Senior Journalist at LADbible. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign. He is in charge of the LADbible Australia editorial content and social presence.

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@stewartperrie

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