Lily Savage gets drunk live on This Morning in heartwarming resurfaced clip after death
Lily Savage #LilySavage
Paul O’Grady fans are enjoying throwback clips of the late comedian following news of his death – and his drag alter ego Lily Savage getting drunk on live TV might just be the best of the best.
The former Blind Date host died ‘peacefully’ at the age of 67 on Tuesday night, his husband Andre Portasio announced.
A cause of death has not been revealed, but tributes have poured in from all corners of the entertainment industry, while the Royal Family have also remembered O’Grady fondly.
Throwback clips of the comedian’s funniest moments have also circulated on social media, notably with him performing as his iconic drag act Lily Savage.
In one clip that has gone viral on Twitter, Savage is seen getting bladdered with Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan on ITV1’s This Morning way back in 1994, and it makes for both hilarious and heartwarming viewing.
Wearing her famous larger-than-life bleached blonde wig with a sequined pink blouse, leopard print skirt and a set of pearls, Savage looked more ready for a night out than a morning TV segment.
Together with Richard and Judy, Savage had the pleasure of trying out various French beers.
‘It’s disgusting, what is it?’ she remarked after tasting the first one, adding: ‘It tastes like the stuff you put in the cat litter tray to get rid of the smell.’
After being presented with a ‘dry’ glass of beer, Judy quipped: ‘She wants that as well,’ as Savage necked back the booze.
With Savage consuming most of its contents, Richard joked: ‘I didn’t want any of that anyway.’
It proved to be a hit with Savage who described it as ‘lovely’, adding: ‘Isn’t that gorgeous?’ I strongly recommend this.’
However, she wasn’t too thrilled by the price and said in shock: ‘Is it £2.99? I’m not paying a fiver for that, sorry.’
Clearly under the influence, Savage then hurled the empty glass into the nearby River Thames much to the amusement of the presenters.
Towards the end of the clip, Savage had pretty much checked out and was seen unsteadily pouring wine into a glass while swaying. As Judy wiped away tears from cry-laughing, Savage proposed a toast and began drunkenly serenading viewers with a song.
Savage told the host: ‘Judy Finnigan you got nice and drunk at 10 o’clock on live television… it’s their fault,’ while pointing a finger at Richard and Judy.
As if it couldn’t be more peak nineties TV, Take That’s Never Forget provided the soundtrack for the segment.
Reacting to the epic throwback, one fan said: ‘This is just glorious.’
‘Thanks so much for posting this, remember watching this with my Mam, how we laughed,’ another said.
One other viewer added: ‘I watched this live. It must have been school holidays or I was off school sick. @richardm56 & Judy’s reactions were brilliant and very real. I loved when they’d have Lily on. The wine man wasn’t too impressed but it didn’t matter at all. TV gold.’
O’Grady began his career performing as Savage in the 1970s before propelling to TV fame with various shows.
Announcing his death on Wednesday morning, the comedian’s husband said in a statement: ‘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.’
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