Craig Revel Horwood got "choked up" as he paid tribute to Paul O'Grady following a performance of 'Annie' on Monday night.
Craig Revel Horwood pays tribute to Paul O'Grady following a performance of Annie
The late TV legend died suddenly last week at the age of 67 just days after completing a run as tyrannical orphanage proprietress Miss Hannigan in a nationwide touring production of the musical 'Annie'.
On Monday (03.04.23), 'Strictly Come Dancing' judge Craig - who is also sharing the role on a rotational basis with 'Coronation Street' star Jodie Prenger and 'Two Doors Down' actress Elaine C. Smith - moved the audience to tears with his words during the curtain call at The Alexandra in Birmingham as he vowed to dedicate the rest of the run to the tragic star.
Audience member David Jack told Metro.co.uk: "After the final bows, Craig Revel Horwood addressed the audience and said they would like to dedicate this and every performance to the legend Paul O’Grady. There were people in the audience in tears and shouts of, 'We love you, Paul!' You could see him choking up while saying what he did. I think he found it difficult to say anything due to his emotion. "
Following the news that Paul - who shot to fame as drag queen Lily Savage in the 1980s before becoming a regular on the small screen as himself with his self-titled teatime chatshow in the mid-2000s - had passed away, Craig admitted he was "in a state of shock" as he remembered Paul as a "wonderful human being."
He tweeted: "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. I’m actually reeling in disbelief. He was such a wonderful human being, funny and to the point. Paul, legend, RIP darling."
Tagged in Craig Revel Horwood Lily Savage Jodie Prenger