Paul O'Grady's four chilling words before early death which left friend 'haunted'

A dear friend of Paul O'Grady has revealed four chilling words from the star just hours before he died, aged 67. The nation was shocked when the news of the Lily Savage star's death hit the headlines back in March 2023, but those closest to him were hit especially hard as they "didn't see it coming".

Detailing some of the late star's final moments, long-time friend and producer Malcolm Prince has shared some of Paul's final words in a new memoir, Paul O'Grady: Not The Same Without You. In their last few hours together, Malcolm shared how he went round to Paul's house where they sat in the kitchen drinking tea and catching up. Malcolm shared that Paul discussed everything from upcoming work to his family and everything in between - but the author admits things "felt different" that day. He wrote: "For the next hour and a half or so that afternoon, we did what we often did: we nattered. It's the one thing all his pals miss; his phone calls were legendary too. Talking to Paul was effortless, enjoyable and always resulted in laughter, especially when he kicked off.

"This day was different. As with any conversation between two friends, there were many topics we discussed that final time, including self-assembly furniture (don't ask); his animals and how grateful he was that Moira was looking after them; Vera (obviously); Hinge and Brackett (why not?); and his two grandchildren, of whom he was so proud. Yes, he was on form.

"And yes, we laughed. But he didn't have a rant - there seemed no time or need for one. Looking back, everything about that chat instead felt measured."

He added: "I have since wondered if he'd had a premonition because we continued to talk about death, and 'not knowing what was round the corner'. He reminded me of a quote by the creator of Snoopy, Charles M. Schulz: 'Just remember, once you're over the hill, you begin to pick up speed."

The author also shared how Paul joked about his own age and, chillingly, how he wouldn't be surprised if his own exit would be "sooner rather than later".

Speaking about the book, Malcolm told The Express that Paul had previously said five words that "haunted him". They had been discussing mortality and Paul admitted to him: "I won't make old bones."

He shared: "I think a doctor had said something to him and he phoned me and told me. But with Paul's conversations, you often took them with a pinch of salt because there was sometimes embellishment, but that did haunt me - 'old bones'."

The book is a treasure trove of anecdotes and memories, all drawn from Malcolm's extensive collection of private recordings and interviews with the people who knew Paul best.

It tells never-before-heard stories of the much-missed national treasure, featuring the great and the good of the entertainment world, his unlikely friendship with the Queen, his departure from the BBC, and a ghost story of two thrown in for good measure.

Paul O'Grady - Not The Same Without You is available from bookstores from November 6.