CAROL Vorderman struggled to fight back tears as she paid tribute to Paul O’Grady on today’s This Morning.
The 62-year-old discussed her 20 year friendship with the star, who passed away last night at 67, and praised him for his fighting spirit.
Carol Vorderman was very emotional on today’s This Morning
Paul has passed away at the age of 67
Speaking via a video link, a teary eyed Carol spoke about how Paul had worked as a social worker and had spent his early career helping children and babies.
She said: “I really started to get to know him in the 90s. The thing that we really must talk about Paul is that he was a fighter, he never judged the weak, he never judged the vulnerable, and he never judged the miss understood.
“He would be there like a lion for them because back in the day he was a social worker and he rescued babies and children from domestic abuse, he had lived all that, he wasn’t just a showbiz person.
“He actually had an entire other life. I think it was that fighter in him, a fighter for the good, as well as being funny, as well as all those things. His rants were famous.
“We fell in love with him because we trusted him, we knew that with Paul, whatever he was having a go about, he would always be speaking the truth.”
Carol added: “He was the most honest and sincere person I have ever met in the showbiz industry.”
The pair first worked together on This Morning many years ago and became close friends soon after.
Paul’s husband of 11 years Andre Portasio announced his death in the early hours of this morning, saying: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
“We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“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’s cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but he had struggled with his health in recent years.
In 2020, at the age of 65, Paul opened up about having three heart attacks, kidney failure and a coronavirus scare behind him.
At the time he told The Celeb Report: “My cardiologist says I have the constitution of an ox.
“Three days after my last heart attack, I was back fire-eating with McFly.
“The heart is a muscle so you have two choices: Sit on the sofa and count your tablets all day, or get on with it and get moving — swimming and walking, gentle exercise.”
Paul suffered heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and his parents both died of heart issues.
In 2017, he was hospitalised in India with kidney trouble while filming his animal show. Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.
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