Craig Revel Horwood ‘reeling in disbelief’ over death of Paul O’Grady after sharing role in Annie-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro

The late Paul O’Grady seen in character as Miss Hannigan in Annie (Picture: Rex)

Craig Revel Horwood has paid tribute to his late friend and co-star Paul O’Grady, saying that he’s in a ‘state of shock’ over the beloved comedian’s death aged 67.

The pair had been sharing the role of Miss Hannigan in the touring theatrical production of Annie, with O’Grady having already performed in a couple of shows.

O’Grady died on Tuesday March 28, with his husband Andre Portasi saying that he died ‘unexpectedly’ but ‘peacefully’.

In a statement published on Twitter, Strictly Come Dancing judge Revel Horwood described the Lily Savage icon as a ‘gorgeous colleague and friend’.

‘I’m in a state of shock this morning, waking up to the news that my gorgeous colleague and friend, Paul O’Grady has passed away,’ the 58-year-old said.

‘I’m actually reeling in disbelief. He was such a wonderful human being, funny and to the point. Paul, legend, RIP darling.’

It was previously announced that O’Grady would be starring as Miss Hannigan in various locations across the UK, including Newcastle, Southampton and Bristol.

Countless tributes have been made as people across the nation mourn the late performer (Picture: Ken McKay/REX)

His final performance in Annie took place in Edinburgh just a few days ago, after he took to the stage at Edinburgh Playhouse for five dates.

He had been due to perform up until November this year.

Last month, O’Grady spoke to Metro.co.uk’s Sixty Seconds about being cast as the show’s antagonist, recalling how he came to accept the role in the first place.

‘I was in panto and I went for a drink afterwards with the producer. He said he was doing a national tour of Annie. Four more whiskies later and I’m saying, “Do you know, I wouldn’t mind doing a few weeks of Annie,”’ he said at the time.

‘So, I’m doing seven weeks. That’s enough because I’ve got other commitments with animals. I’m really looking forward to it, because I haven’t done theatre for a while. I’ve played Miss Hannigan before, in 1998 in London, and then we toured with it.’

Many have remembered watching O’Grady as Lily Savage on TV over the years (Picture: Ltd/Rex/Shutterstock)

When asked who was more glamorous out of him and Revel Horwood, O’Grady responded: ‘Craig, definitely. I do her far more downtrodden. In my version she’s a bit raggy. I’m going to do her a lot older, where she’s got no tolerance at all for kids – all she wants to do is listen to her radio and get drunk. Don’t we all!’

In October last year, O’Gady celebrated being cast in the production, stating that ‘this is what happens when you go for a drink after rehearsals with your producer and after being plied with whisky you’d agree to play a nun in the Sound of Music let alone Miss Hannigan’.

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O’Grady had decades’ worth of experience on the stage, having gained renown through his drag queen persona Lily Savage.

He performed in the theatre in shows including Prisoner Cell Block H, Lily’s Christmas Cracker and the 16-week sell-out run of The Lily Savage Show.

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