Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio has revealed that he plans to donate Lily Savage’s collection of iconic dresses.
Andre, who married Paul in 2007, admitted that the alter ego’s wigs and belongings ‘do not belong to him’, and instead they belong ‘to the nation.’
The comedian passed away a year ago, aged 67, from an unexpected cardiac arrhythmia, which left thousands of fans across the UK heartbroken.
Paul, who was a social worker in Birkenhead before moving to London, kicked off his glitzy showbiz career as a drag entertainer in the 80s.
He would tour local pubs and clubs across the UK as the iconic Lily Savage.
Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio has revealed that he plans to donate Lily Savage’s iconic dresses ‘to the nation’ (presenter is pictured as his drag alter-ego)
Andre (pictured in 2019), who married Paul in 2007, admitted that the wigs and belongings of the presenter’s drag alter-ego ‘do not belong to him’ amid the first anniversary of the star’s death
Speaking to The Mirror about his heartbreak and keeping his late husband’s legacy alive, Andre said he used to tell the TV personality that Lily costumes were a ‘slice of history’.
But in Paul’s typically modest fashion, he brushed it off and said the prized possessions were just ‘tat’.
Revealing that he homes an attic-full of memorabilia, Andre told the publication: ‘I think by the end he was very tired of having to put on all the make-up and all the practical aspects of becoming Lily although he never fully retired her and she kept making comebacks.’
When Paul was alive, his partner persuaded him to donate some items to the V&A, but there are still many other pieces he is setting aside.
‘They don’t belong to me, they belong to the nation,’ he added.
‘I feel the audience at large would absolutely love to see them again, and it’s weighing on me very heavily how I take his legacy forward.’
Andre also admitted that the nation’s response to the TV star’s first anniversary humbled him as they left him an overwhelming amount of support through cards and miniature dog teddy bears.
It comes just days after fans admitted they ‘couldn’t watch’ The Life and Death of Lily Savage, as ITV marked the first anniversary of his tragic death on Saturday.
The comedian passed away in March 2023 from an unexpected cardiac arrhythmia, which left thousands of mourners across the UK heartbroken
Paul kicked off his glitzy showbiz career as a drag entertainer in the 80s. He would tour local pubs and clubs across the UK as the iconic Lily Savage
Speaking to the Mirror about his heartbreak and keeping his late husband’s legacy alive, Andre said he used to tell the TV personality that Lily costumes were a ‘slice of history’
It comes just days after fans admitted they ‘couldn’t watch’ The Life and Death of Lily Savage, as ITV marked the first anniversary of his tragic death on Saturday
Viewers were brought to tears as the broadcaster celebrated and paid tribute to the dog-lover with an emotional documentary about his drag alter ego, Lily Savage.
From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for his act.
He then launched a show, Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which became a sell-out success.
Once he established himself as a national success, Paul was asked to bring his act to mainstream TV, which, at the time, his comedy was unheard of on TV.
The tear-jerking documentary followed his climb to fame and success while playing Lily on The Big Breakfast and then the BBC quiz show Blankety Blank.
The film also delved into the part Paul played in campaigning for gay rights during the AIDS crisis and how he came from a working-class background.
Lily was hailed as the voice that was needed at a time when people in the gay community were treated as ‘lepers’.
Footage from the beginning of his career was played from the drag character’s early performances.
It was accompanied by a soft voice-over where Paul talked about Lily in the third person.
Hearing his voice on TV brought many fans to tears as they reminisced about Paul’s kind heart and open mind.
Many took to social media to reveal that they could not continue watching the programme and struggled to hear him on their TV again.
One penned: ‘I’m not emotionally stable enough to watch the Paul O’Grady thing tonight. I don’t think I ever will be to be honest. I grew up watching him.’
‘So sorry Paul. I couldn’t watch it made me cry just thinking what a beautiful chap you were and how we lost so much when you left us.’
‘I can’t cope with this Lily Savage documentary.’
‘4 minutes into the Life and Death of Lily Savage and I’m already an emotional wreck.’
‘Laughing and shedding a tear. God, I miss Lily Savage. From the old days on a Thursday night at the Vauxhall Tavern, then a complete flea pit, to mainstream mania. Lily and Paul O’Grady. Very much missed. Both of them.’
‘Feels a bit emotional hearing Paul’s voice again while he’s talking on this documentary about himself and Lily Savage’
‘Watching this and already it’s sad hearing Paul’s aka Lily’s voice.’
When Paul passed away, his partner, Andre Portasio, took to social media to announce the performer’s devastating passing.
He said in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
Many took to social media to reveal that they could not continue watching the programme and struggled to hear him on their TV again
‘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.’
Paul first started performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s, and in 1997, he launched The Lily Savage Show on the BBC.
He revived Blankety Blank until 2002 and went on to present several chat shows, including ITV’s teatime programme The Paul O’Grady Show from 2004 to 2005, before moving to Channel 4.
In 2017, he took over from Cilla Black on Channel 5’s Blind Date reboot, while over the years, he also fronted ITV’s For The Love of Dogs, which was tied to his role as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Shortly before passing away, Paul left BBC Radio 2 after 14 years, noting at the time that he wasn’t pleased with sharing his Sunday afternoon slot.
He was set to join Boom Radio for Easter Sunday, 2023.
