Paul O’Grady has died aged 67, just weeks before he was due to start a new job.
The For the Love of Dogs star had only last week hailed his “new home” following the announcement he was due to be back on the radio over Easter weekend.
It was revealed last August that much-loved Paul’s BBC radio career was winding up after 14 years.
He said at the time, much to the dismay of his devoted listeners, that he felt that “now is the right time to go”.
In the days following, Paul admitted to fans he wasn’t “really happy” with his schedule.
He explained: “So, I did the honourable thing and I honoured my contract, gave my notice, and now I’m off.”
Paul O’Grady news
MailOnline reported last week that the 67-year-old was to host his first show for Boom Radio on Easter Sunday.
Furthermore, he was to be joined on the programme by his regular producer Malcolm Prince.
Paul said at the time: “It’s great to be working with the team at Boom again. It already feels like my new radio home.
“My producer Malcolm and I are looking forward to our special TeamPOG show on Easter Sunday.
Who knows, this could be the start of a regular gig.
“Who knows, this could be the start of a regular gig.”
Paul previously fronted a one-off show for the station on Christmas Day, pulling in a record number of listeners.
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How fans reacted
Sharing the development on Twitter, producer Malcolm said it was: “Fab news!”
And social media users were inclined to agree, with many over the moon that Paul was set to be back on the airwaves.
One happy fan replied: “I am so very pleased. This is wonderful news. I will be tuning in for sure. Might have to rejig my Sunday listening schedule a bit.”
“Excellent. Pleased for you both and all the listeners who have missed you,” gushed another.
Fab news!
We’re back on @BoomRadioUK this Easter Sunday at 2pm
Tell your friends (and tell me you’ve told them 😉)
It’s #NotTheSameWithoutYOU https://t.co/BiGcJzk5ua
— #TeamPOGradio is back (@malprin) March 21, 2023
A third person tweeted in reply: “Back on the radio where you both belong! Can’t wait!”
And someone else celebrated: “Oh this is fab news indeed. You’ve made my day!”
Malcolm Prince and Boom Radio following Paul’s death
However, Paul’s death means the show will not go ahead.
Following the news Paul had died on Tuesday March 28, Boom Radio co-founder Phil Riley shared his sadness.
“There are few broadcaster who attract the love Paul did,” he wrote. “The response to his last show was enormous – listeners felt he’d popped around to their house over lunch. That was his gift. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
“There are few broadcasters who attract the love Paul did. The response to his last show was enormous – listeners felt he’d popped around to their house over
lunch. That was his gift. Our thoughts are with his family and friends,” Phil Riley, co-founder, Boom. pic.twitter.com/KUwAs59T3d— BoomRadioUK (@BoomRadioUK) March 29, 2023
Meanwhile, long-time producer and friend Malcolm Prince revealed he saw Paul just yesterday.
“Yesterday afternoon, I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up,” he said. “Surrounded by his beloved dogs he was laughing, smiling and full of life.
“He was so proud of Annie and 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.”
Malcolm continued to say we’d “lost a unique talent” and he had lost a “dear friend”.
He concluded: “Oh how I’ll miss him.”
A few words…#PaulOGradyRIP pic.twitter.com/kA3Oq0HK3f
— Malcolm Prince (@malprin) March 29, 2023
He also shared the last picture the pair had taken together.
Read more: Paul O’Grady fans rally around as he shares heartbreaking family loss: ‘I knew it was coming’
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