Paul O'Grady fans in tears as Blankety Blank pays special tribute to late host
Blankety Blank viewers were reduced to tears on Saturday night after the BBC paid a tribute to Paul O'Grady by broadcasting a special episode.
BBC pay tribute to Paul O'Grady at end of classic Blankety Blank episode
Following Paul O'Grady's sudden death earlier this week, many broadcasters have been airing special programmes as a tribute to the late dog lover and TV presenter. On Saturday night, BBC One aired an episode of Lily Savage's Blankety Blank, which Paul had hosted as his iconic drag alter ego from 1997 to 2002.
The special featured appearances from the likes of Rebecca Callard, Sophie Lawrence, Davina McCall, Sir Ian McKellen, Gray O’Brien and the late Dale Winton.
However, BBC viewers were left sobbing when Blankety Blank paid a moving tribute to Paul.
A title card along with his picture popped up on screen at the end of the game show.
Fans took to Twitter in droves to share their thoughts, with @Tre_Animation tweeting: "I'm not crying, YOU'RE crying. #BlanketyBlank."
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@AbieeOliver wrote: "Oh, now I'm crying! The tribute at the end!"
While @stevejbeck added: "OMG! BBC1 are showing an episode of Blankety Blank with Lily Savage. I’m laughing and crying simultaneously! #blanketyblank #bbc1." (sic)
@melaniegtfan tweeted: "Loved watching #BlanketyBlank tonight. We lost not one but two people, Paul and Lily. The showbiz world isn't the same without them."
"#BlanketyBlank really enjoyed watching this tonight tears of laughter and tears of loss rest in peace Paul," @Harrockstabitha shared.
@suzibaines praised: "Well done to @bbc for showing an episode of #BlanketyBlank with Lily Savage.
"A lovely tribute. Great to see the late great Dale Winton too. Two great entertainers sorely missed."
Paul's death was announced on Wednesday by his husband Andre Portasio, who said the star died "unexpectedly".
It comes just weeks before the 67-year-old was set to present the Easter Sunday Boom Radio show.
As a tribute to the late TV presenter, the radio station will rebroadcast his final radio show on the day instead.
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The show will be broadcast on April 9 at 2pm - when he was scheduled to present his show.
Paul's producer and close friend Malcolm Prince was set to host alongside him and will now be introducing the special episode.
He said: "Paul was really proud of the show and he’d find this festive repeat at Easter time very amusing.
"The sentiments in the show feel so right too – hope, wish, fulfilment, joy — even love."
Lily Savage's Blankety Blank is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.