Paul O’Grady famously snapped back at police officers who conducted ‘homophobic’ raids at gay bars in London and Manchester during the AIDS epidemic.
The beloved comedian, who regularly performed in the 80s and 90s as drag queen Lily Savage, died unexpectedly on Tuesday (March 28) at the age of 67.
Elton John, Queen Consort Camilla, Lorraine Kelly and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Divina de Campo were just some of the many to lead tributes to the ‘much admired’ entertainer. READ MORE: Paul O'Grady was 'laughing and so full of life' hours before sudden death, devastated friend says O’Grady debuted the persona of Lily in the 1970s before rising to fame in the 1980s with a residency at London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern.
One evening in 1987 - during the height of the AIDS pandemic - police raided the venue just as the performer was about to take to the stage.
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