Alan Carr: Paul O’Grady joked he didn't want to go to heaven as he wouldn't know anyone

30 March 2023

Alan Carr says his late friend Paul O’Grady didn't want to go to heaven because he "wouldn't know anyone".

Alan Carr says his late friend Paul O’Grady didn't want to go to heaven because he 'wouldn't know anyone' - Instagram-AlanCarr

The ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ judge revealed that his ‘For The Love of Dogs’ presenter pal - who died this week aged 67 - wasn't fussed about heading through the pearly gates, because none of his friends would be there.

The 46-year-old comedian wrote on an Instagram post of the pair: "He will be missed SO much, my friend asked him recently 'do you think you’ll go to heaven Paul?' Quick as a whip he replied 'I hope not, I won’t know anyone. (sic)"

Alan revealed he had "been no use to anyone" after hearing about Paul's passing, who he labelled a "true one-off".

He wrote: “I’ve been no use to anyone today. Loved Paul, who didn’t? A true one off. Having dinner with Paul O’Grady was the closest any of us would get to having dinner with Dorothy Parker or Truman Capote - he would have you literally in hysterics regaling these showbiz anecdotes and quips from Marlene Dietrich to Cilla Black to The Royals to the Disappointer Sisters - it seemed like he knew everyone. (sic)"

Some of the biggest names in British showbiz have publicly mourned for Paul - who shot to fame with his drag persona Lily Savage - with sweet words for their dearly departed friend, such as his pal and ex ‘Countdown’ star Carol Vorderman.

The 62-year-old television personality told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “When you were with Paul, and even when you watched him on screen … he was one of those people who just made your blood feel like you were alive.

“There was every part of you that was alive, and you never knew what was going to happen.”

Carol praised his fearlessness in the telly industry, adding: “He’d be calling out the TV execs way before (Gary) Lineker, when it wasn’t popular.

“You had to love him for that, he didn’t care – he’d go into the fight, and he’d go into the fight for the good.”