Alan Carr has revealed the organist’s recital didn’t exactly go to plan (Picture: PA/Instagram)
Alan Carr has remembered how a gaffe at Paul O’Grady’s funeral in Kent left mourners erupting into laughter.
The comedian, 46, was among the celebrity guests, alongside the likes of Ronnie Wood and Jo Brand, at the ceremony in April, following the Lily Savage star’s death at the age of 67.
The Interior Design Masters presenter, who previously paid a touching tribute to For The Love of Dogs star after he died from a cardiac arrhythmia, reflected on the emotional day on Kathy Burke’s Where There’s A Will There’s A Wake podcast.
The Changing Ends actor revealed Julian Clary, 64, recited a eulogy that left the church ‘in bits, all crying’ but not before an unexpected moment of hilarity.
Alan explained prior to Julian’s eulogy the organist, who he described as being ‘proper like Les Dawson’ recited a piece but ‘all out of tune.
‘We’re killing ourselves laughing – not meant to be,’ he continued. ‘Then Julian gets up to do the eulogy.
Alan was among the celebrity guests at O’Grady’s funeral (Picture: SplashNews.com)
O’Grady died ‘peacefully but unexpectedly’ at the age of 67 (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
‘[But before that] this vicar comes out – honestly, he must not know Julian’s work – and goes, “Can I just apologise – the organ needed pumping.”‘
Kathy and Alan both burst into laughter as the Chatty Man recalled: ‘Julian just looked round and looked at him and said, “Thanks for clearing that up.” What a gift for Julian.’
‘That’s beautiful,’ Kathy giggled, with Alan agreeing O’Grady ‘would have loved’ it.
Julian performed a eulogy at O’Grady’s funeral (Picture: Shutterstock)
Kathy burst out laughing when Alan revealed the blunder (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)
In his tribute to O’Grady in March, Alan confessed he’d been ‘no use to anyone’ after learning of his death before sharing a side-splitting anecdote about the star.
lan 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.’
Alan added: ‘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”. You legend.’
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O’Grady’s death was announced by his husband Andre Portasio who said in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
‘We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
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‘He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
‘I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.’
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‘That’s beautiful,’ Kathy said.