Julian Clary shares touching story of Paul O'Grady's kindness

The late comedian was known for his generosity and his friend Julian Clary told how he had sent round an incredible new home gift.

Katie Archer
·Contributor
Updated ·3 min read
Paul O'Grady and Julian Clary were long time friends. (Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Paul O'Grady and Julian Clary were long time friends. (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

What did you miss?

Julian Clary has told how his late friend Paul O'Grady once gave him a Rayburn oven as a gift because the comedian's new house was a little cold when he moved in.

Clary told Monday's The One Show about his friend's incredible generosity to others, sharing the anecdote about his moving in present.

The episode also featured choirmaster Gareth Malone, who told the surprising secret of which simple song he uses to work out whether someone is a good singer or not.

What, how, and why?

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Julian Clary and Paul O'Grady attend the press night performance of
Julian Clary shared a tale of Paul O'Grady's generosity. (Getty Images)

Paul O'Grady's fans were already familiar with the big-hearted comedian's kindness through his TV work, but following his death in 2023 countless stories of his generosity have emerged.

Comedian Julian Clary appeared on Monday's episode of The One Show where he shared his own anecdote about his late friend.

He said: "He was full of natural kindness and random generosity. He was very kind to me when I moved in nearby him, he came round with a basket full of eco-friendly cleaning products and a shepherd's pie.

"The house was very cold and the next day a lorry arrived with a 1920s Rayburn oven on it that warmed the whole house up."

Julian Clary paid tribute to Paul O'Grady on The One Show. (BBC)
Julian Clary paid tribute to Paul O'Grady on The One Show. (BBC)

Talking about the For the Love of Dogs host, Clary added that his career had taken off even further after he stopped performing as his alter ego Lily Savage.

Clary said: "I think he discovered he could be just as funny as Paul. Having been liberated by doing Lily, he was then liberated by not doing Lily and just being Paul."

What else happened on The One Show?

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 12: Gareth Malone attends the press night performance of
Gareth Malone shared one of the tricks of his trade. (Getty Images)

Choirmaster Gareth Malone also appeared on Monday's episode, where he revealed the surprising simple song he uses to work out whether a singer is actually any good.

He shared: "I do tend to ask people to sing Happy Birthday because it's actually much more difficult than you think. People start it in the wrong key. It's a good way to see whether people can see the pitches in their mind or are just guessing at it."

Talking about how he decided to become a conductor, Malone said: "I remember when I was about 16 or 17, seeing a choir and watching the guy in front and thinking, that's a job I would like to have."

The One Show airs on BBC One at 7pm on weekdays.

Read more: Paul O'Grady