O'Grady manager dies of cancer

TV star Paul O’Grady was left heartbroken today after his friend and manager of more than 20 years died from cancer.

O’Grady was at Brendan Murphy’s hospital bedside when he died.

The pair were former partners and remained close friends.

Murphy was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year and died today at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in west London. He was 49.

O’Grady said in a statement: “It was an absolute privilege to have known him.

“He was incredibly brave throughout his illness and we are all going to miss him more than words can say.”

When O’Grady suffered a heart attack in 2002, Murphy was the first person he called and helped nurse him back to health.

Murphy was executive producer of ITV1’s The Paul O’Grady Show.