JOURNALIST, author and the Wirral Globe's art critic Peter Grant knew Paul O'Grady for over three decades - both professionally and personally. Here's his tribute to his great friend. 

"In more than thirty years of writing about show business and entertainment I am often asked who are your favourite people to interview.

It's an easy question

Paul O'Grady would be there at the very top of the list.

I read the news, today, oh boy and I cried.

I'll never get the chance to hear his voice again in conversation.

We have lost one of life's great human beings.

Of course Paul was a natural showman from alter ego Lily Savage to chat show host, documentary star, radio host, author and passionate animal lover.

There was nothing complex about him. He knew his audience - he was a 'people person'.

He was an animal person, too.

I first met him on the set of Brookside where we both appeared in a scene involving  the opening of a nightclub.

I was playing myself - a local paper reporter and he was the celebrity Lily Savage  -  this towering, hilarious, feisty figure with a strong Liverpudlian accent.

We had to drink 'champagne' over a four hour period as the cameras rolled.

Take after take he was getting visibly fed up making ad lib comments through gritted teeth.

He kept cast and crew in stitches with beautifully-barbed comments.

Alas the fake champers was actually warm grape juice and Paul was feeling sick of it.

He said to me: 'As soon as this is over let's go and get a proper bevvie in the pub - I can't stand another glass of this muck."

And so we did and . . . oh what a session knocking back the pints.

I discovered what a very funny, warm and caring man he was after Lily's wig was back in its box.

We remained in touch from that moment on. Whenever he had somethng new on telly I would chat withh him.

It was always a sheer joy.

I shall miss that side of his professionalism as well as his wicked sense of mischief.

But I will miss this wonderful man for so many orher reasons.

Especially the fact that he cared.

Paul never changed from when I first spoke to him to the day I last saw him at rhe Empire Theatre for the Cilla Black musical.

He was surrounded by adoring fans from kids to grannies but he still found time to  come over with his powerful handshake and say hello to me.

The twinkle in his eye an O'Grady trademark

He had time for everybody unlike Lily who didn't suffer fools gladly.

I once asked Paul about his own philosophy in life.

He had known much tragedy and he said 'being a good listener' was so important.

He quoted a song by American singer-songwriter Paul Williams: "Every act of kindness is a little bit of love we leave behind us."

Well, judging by the outpouring of grief on his sudden departure - the self-styled 'Birkenhead Bombsite'  will be forever rembered as the kindest of men.

A giant.

Paul O'Grady was great company.

He had a natural way about him -  no airs and graces. He was a fabulous communicator proud of his roots and he never let Merseyside down.

He could write, too, from best-selling autobiographical books to children's novels.

I was so looking forward to seeing him in Annie at the Empire this year.

That is not to be but what a legacy he has left behind.

We will never forget him

How would you sum up Paul O'Grady in a two word  Blankety Blank sort of way . . . easy.

UNFORGETTABLE SUPERSTAR. . .

Goodbye, old friend, you have left us your real love to treasure."