‘Paul Grayson was an incredible comic’: Moment Dominic Raab accidentally gets Paul O’Grady’s name wrong in PMQs while paying tribute to the late star

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab was heard mispronouncing Paul O’Grady’s name in the House of Commons today as he paid tribute to the late TV presenter who has died at the age of 67.

Mr Raab, who was filling in for Rishi Sunak during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) said ‘Paul Grayson’ was an ‘incredible comic’ after MPs highlighted the impact of the late chat show host.

In tribute, Sir Chris Bryant told the House of Commons: ‘I don’t know whether the Deputy Prime Minister ever met Lily Savage or has ever spent a night out at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, but… I can take him some time if he wants to go?’

As MPs erupted in laughter, the Labour MP added: ‘Her alter ego, Paul O’Grady, campaigned acerbically and hilariously for elderly people, for care workers, against oppression of every kind.

‘Isn’t it time we in this country celebrated our naughty, hilarious drag queens and comics of every kind who inspire us to be a better and more generous nation?’

Dominic Raab accidentally gave Paul O’Grady (pictured) the wrong name in a tribute 

Mr Raab said: ‘I totally agree with him: Paul Grayson was an incredible comic’, before correcting himself saying: ‘Paul O’Grady… but in terms of Lily Savage, I think some of that comedy broke glass ceilings and broke boundaries in a way certainly politicians would struggle to do. So I agree with that.

‘I also think it shows how we need greater, more rambunctious free speech, and we need to avoid the wokery and the limitations on comedy, which I’m afraid both of them would have had no time for.’

Earlier, Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, who was speaking in place of Sir Keir Starmer, told the Commons: ‘I’m sure the whole House will join me… in paying tribute to Paul O’Grady after his sad death was announced today.

‘He was a national treasure and a true northern star and he will be greatly missed.’

Mr Sunak and Sir Keir were attending the funeral of the only female Speaker of the House of Commons, Baroness Betty Boothroyd, who died in February at the age of 93.

O’Grady first shot to fame as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage

Mr Raab addressing MPs in the House of Commons

On Twitter, the Labour leader said he was ‘deeply saddened’ at the death of O’Grady, whom he called a ‘wonderfully warm and generous person’ who ‘entertained the nation whilst campaigning for the causes he was passionate about’.

He added: ‘His love and compassion, for people and animals, shone out from him and inspired so many. My thoughts are with (his partner) Andre and all of Paul’s family and friends.’

Shadow health and social care secretary Wes Streeting also wrote on Twitter: ‘I had the pleasure of meeting him on a number of occasions.

‘As funny, generous, and fiercely principled in life as he was on TV.’

It comes after O’Grady’s friend and radio producer Malcolm Prince said the comedian was ‘laughing, smiling and full of life’ shortly before his death – as the Queen Consort joined those paying tribute.

Paul O’Grady hosted classic TV quiz show Blankety Blank as his alter-ego Lily Savage

Paul O’Grady in ITV’s Paul O’Grady’s For The Love Of Dogs At Christmas in December 2019

Prince, who worked with O’Grady at both BBC Radio 2 and Boom Radio – an independent station aimed at Baby Boomers – said he is devastated by his loss and added in a tweet: ‘Yesterday afternoon I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up.

‘Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling and full of life.’

He said that O’Grady, who had been touring playing Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie, had been ‘so proud’ of the role and added: ‘He was looking forward to so many new projects. And now he’s gone. 

‘I can’t believe it. We have lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend. We were all lucky to have Paul in our lives. My heart goes out to Andre, Paul’s family, and friends. Oh how I’ll miss him.’

The royal family’s official Twitter account paid tribute, posting an image of O’Grady with Camilla, after they worked closely in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The post read: ‘Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of @Battersea-, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories.’