Casualty star opens up on friendship with late Paul O'Grady

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Ewan McGregor is set to star in a drama series currently in development at Amazon Prime Video, Variety has learned exclusively. Currently titled “Lodi,” the series is inspired by a true story as told in an Alta online article by Andrew Dubbins. The official description of the series states, “In 1977, a car salesman, Lou (McGregor), goes from ordinary small-town citizen to FBI informant infiltrating the mafia when a key member of organized crime offers to buy his Cadillac dealership. Over the next three years, Lou finds his quest for glory tested when he becomes embroiled in the inner workings of the crime family – from fronting a multimillion-dollar operation, to becoming a surrogate son– before procuring the first-ever conviction of an infamous crime boss.”

Emanuel Okusanya The fast-rising Afropop singer Ayra Starr says she always knew she was destined for greatness. It didn’t take long: She’d signed with the major African label Mavin, racked up hundreds of millions of streams, headlined a U.K. tour and gotten cosigns from many of her idols, all before her 21st birthday this coming June. After her debut single “Away” shot her to stardom in her native Nigeria, her hit single “Rush” has surpassed 100 million streams on both Spotify and YouTube, and she just dropped a tag-team single with labelmate DJ Big N and singer Oxlade called “How Many Times.” It all began simply enough: She’d been singing with her brother for most of her life, and one day when she was 18, “I posted a video — it was the first original song I posted online,” she recalls, “and the next day my executive producer called me and invited me to the studio. Literally three days later I was signed.” The label in question is Mavin Records, the powerhouse Nigeria-based company that launched the global careers of industry icons such as Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Rema and others. Her career vaulted to the next level with “Bloody Samaritan” — an R&B banger that took off in the U.K. and caught the attention of Kelly Rowland, who later joined the remix and became a mentor to Starr. 

Soap beauty Georgia May Foote has shared about living with the skin condition vitiligo after developing new patches on holiday. Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin caused by the lack of melanin, a substance in the body that produces hair, eye and skin colouring.

Paul O'Grady's funeral date has been confirmed for this Thursday as his funeral procession will pass through his home village in Kent.The television star's widowed husband, Andre Portasio, shared a snap of the late entertainer smiling while wearing white angel wings. He wrote: "I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support and love I have received since the passing of our beloved Paul O'Grady. "Your kind messages, beautiful flowers, and thoughtful texts of condolences have brought me comfort and solace during this difficult time.

Paul O'Grady's funeral date and timings have been confirmed with his loyal fans across the nation invited to line the streets to pay respect to the late television star.

the Mail on Sunday is reporting that plans for the star's funeral are well underway. The celebration of his life is understood to be planned for Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent, where he was a regular visitor. Read More: Cardiac arrhythmia symptoms as Paul O'Grady's cause of death confirmedPaul lived just three miles from Port Lympne.

Paul O’Grady’s cause of death was sudden cardiac arrhythmia, his death certificate states. The broadcasting legend, who presented programmes including The Paul O’Grady Show, Blankety Blank and For The Love Of Dogs, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" at the age of 67. His death certificate has confirmed how Paul died, listing sudden cardiac arrhythmia – which was linked to heart disease – as the cause.

Paul O’Grady fans have been left in tears after the first episode of his hit show For the Love of Dogs aired on Thursday night, following his tragic death. After the comedian died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ at the end of March aged 67, the new series - and what will now be the last - began airing last night.

S Club 7's Tina Barrett has shared a moving tribute on social media as she dedicated a poem to her late former bandmate Paul Cattermole. Paul tragically passed away at age 46 on Thursday 6 April, leaving his family, friends and fans heartbroken. Now, his former bandmate Tina, 46, has paid tribute to Paul on her Instagram page, sharing a photo of S Club 7 along with a poem dedicated to the late musician.

The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey has been cast in the second season of BBC prison drama Time alongside Jodie Whittaker, Tamara Lawrance and Siobhan Finneran.

Paul O'Grady, the star's friends praised his alter-ego Lily Savage as they recalled his path to success. Paul worked hard honing his act in front of adoring audiences in London's pubs and clubs but was eventually forced to make the "heartbreaking decision" to "give up the day job he loved" in order to progress his career. Paul settled in London where he split his time between working as a social worker in Camden and performing as Lily Savage.

Christopher Biggins has spoken out after Paul O’Grady’s death following the pair’s decades-long friendship. Showbiz veteran Christopher, 74, said Paul, who tragically died aged 67 last week, didn’t appear to take medics’ concerns very seriously despite having heart problems.The Paul O’Grady Show host suffered three heart attacks over the years: one in 2002, another in 2004 and a third in 2014. With this in mind, Paul had been urged to give up smoking and drinking for the sake of his health.

The late Paul O'Grady is about to be seen in his final ever series of For the Love of Dogs - and in his last chat about the ITV show, he pays a poignant tribute to the "privilege" of working with the residents of Battersea Dogs' Home. News of Paul's death on 28 March came as a shock, with his 11th series of passion project Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs already completed and ready to air. Once more, he'll meet rescue dogs facing all kinds of hardship and his final interview about the show is full of the love he felt for the dogs he met.

Britney Spears‘ husband Sam Asghari landed his next acting role, and it’s a big one!

EXCLUSIVE: The roster of talent set for Prime Video‘s Paul Feig-helmed action comedy Grand Death Lotto has continued to expand with the addition of Michael Hitchcock (Your Place or Mine), Becky Ann Baker (Girls), Sam Asghari (Lioness), Leslie David Baker (The Office), Murray Hill (Life & Beth), Adam Ray (Young Rock), Taylor Ortega (Welcome to Flatch) and Holmes (Welcome to Flatch).

Paul O’Grady’s closest pals has revealed what the star’s last wish for his funeral was. O’Grady died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on Tuesday evening at the age of 67, his partner, Andre Portasio, said in a statement. The comic and TV host, who first rose to fame on the nightclub circuit as the acerbic, platinum wig-wearing Lily Savage, was considered a trailblazing LGBTQ+ icon.

sad news of his death at the age of 67 broke last week. BBC's Casualty actress revealed that Paul had previously confided in her and their group of pals on how he would like friends and family to act during his funeral. Amanda told The Mirror: "Whatever happens, Paul's funeral will be a celebration of his life and it will be full of laughter.

Paul O'Grady's close friend Amanda Mealing has opened up on the TV star's wish for his funeral. Presenter and Lily Savage star Paul, who passed away this week "unexpectedly but peacefully" at the age of 67, told those attending to have "a good time." "He’d hate it if everyone was morose," Amanda, who starred in Holby City as Connie Beauchamp, told The Mirror. 'Whatever happens, Paul’s funeral will be a celebration of his life and it will be full of laughter.

Fans of Paul O’Grady have flooded Battersea Dogs and Cats Home with donations in honour of the late TV presenter, who sadly passed away on 28 March. Paul had been an ambassador for Battersea since 2012 and the charity featured in his hit TV show, Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs. The organisation has now received £90,000 worth of donations from fans of Paul, who have set up a 'tribute fund' in memory of him, as well as countless letters, calls, emails and messages of support in the wake of his passing.

Brian Michael Smith is opening up about his transgender journey, in honor of Trans Visibility Week.