BBC pay tribute to Paul O’Grady at end of classic Blankety Blank episode
Paul O’Grady’s longtime producer and friend Malcolm Prince revealed he was at the presenter’s home just hours before he died.
Following his unexpected death at 67, Malcolm has addressed their decades-long friendship as he recounted being at the comedian’s Kent farmhouse on March 28.
He explained the two were “planning and plotting” ahead of his launch on Boom Radio following Paul’s exit from BBC’s Radio 2.
“On the day that Paul died, I was at his home, having a cup of tea,” Malcolm told Radio Times in a new interview.
He continued: “We were meant to be making plans for our new show, due to launch on Boom Radio, but really we were laughing, reminiscing, plotting, doing what we always did.
“It was the perfect afternoon. When I left, he gave me a hug and said, ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’
“I said, ‘Go inside, I don’t want you watching me try to reverse the car down the drive.'”
Malcolm added: “We’d had two hours of fun, and two hours later he was gone.”
Paul’s death was announced by his husband, André Portasio, and tributes for the former television host poured in from celebrities all over the world.
Don’t miss…
Denise Welch argued with husband over reason stalker targeted them [LATEST]
Paul O’Grady’s mural defaced with graffiti just days after his death [UPDATE]
Jeremy Clarkson hit by ‘gut-wrenching’ loss on farm after ‘goodbye’ [TV]
At the time the news was announced, Malcolm took to Instagram and shared a final photo of them.
He penned: “Our last photo together. Oh how I’ll miss him. My thoughts are with Andre, Paul’s family and friends Farewell my friend.
“A few words: Yesterday afternoon, I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up. It was just the two of us. Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling, and full of life.”
Malcolm went on: “He was so proud of ‘Annie’, so happy to be back on Boom Radio, and he was looking forward to so many new projects. And now he’s gone. I can’t believe it.
“We have lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives. My heart goes out to Andre, Paul’s family, and friends.”
He signed off: “Oh how I’ll miss him.”
Malcolm was inundated with messages of support from colleagues on social media.
The duo previously worked together on Radio 2 after Malcolm pitched the concept to the For The Love Of Dogs presenter.
Malcolm shared that Paul was “disappointed” when he was told his Radio 2 show would be coming to an end in August last year but chose to leave “politely”.
He added: “There was no hamper or leaving party, or any of that. [Paul] told me recently that Radio 2 wasn’t what it was when he joined.”
You can read the full interview in this week’s Radio Times out now.
Source: Read Full Article
