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Original poster

To feel so sad about the death of a celebrity?

128 replies

Enfys1982 · 04/04/2023 08:59

I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I feel so sad over the death of Paul O’Grady, even though I’ve never met him. Even more ridiculous I keep thinking about his dogs wondering where he’s gone (I felt the same about the Corgi’s when the Queen died ffs). My now long gone Grandmother loved him as Lily Savage back in the day, went to see her live in Blackpool and even had her videos. She used to howl with laughter. I used to adore his teatime chat shows with Buster and Olga, then obviously more recently For the Love of Dogs which even inspired me to donate to Battersea.

No one has a bad word to say about him unlike a lot of celebrities and people in the public eye, and I think it was a case of what you saw was what you got. It seems so unfair when there are so many awful celebs who are in rude health (no names mentioned) and he’s been taken so suddenly and before his time.

Anyway I’m being ridiculous aren’t I? Surely this isn’t normal?

OP posts:
Aaron95 · 04/04/2023 13:33

TiredSloth · 04/04/2023 11:34

I don’t mean full on mourning, but yes I do feel a twinge of sadness whenever the news comes on and someone has died/been killed at a young age. I thought that was normal? ‘Couldn’t care less’ just seems a little heartless.

Show quote history

I think I'm just immune to that type of story now. It's like when we hear about someone in the US shooting up a school. I used to think it was horrendous, wonder how it could happen etc. But it now happens so often that it just seems like another news story.

Bloops · 04/04/2023 13:48

Endlesssummer2022 · 04/04/2023 09:41

Although I liked him, I wasn’t a fan but I get you. I’m still surprised by now much Aaliyah’s death impacted me. She had so much potential and was taken away so suddenly and so young. It was tragic. It still makes makes me sad when I hear her music. She would have been as big as Beyoncé had she lived, such a loss.

Agreed. My teenage self loved her. Still do. :(

ChimbarasiKotapaxi · 04/04/2023 13:49

I too feel sad OP He was a kind good man and he and his programmes will be missed I think these feelings respect and value his memory

mamabear715 · 04/04/2023 13:53

I felt the same about the Queen, but you could get slated on MN for admitting that.. :-(

SuperSmashingGreeat · 04/04/2023 13:58

I met Paul O'Grady he had such a kind, warm and fun presence and was very well dressed. I think he actually was a really really lovely person. I was much younger then and working for an event and I took his coat. He had nothing to gain from being nice to me but he really was. I get why some famous people can really touch our hearts.

For me it was, and always will be, George michael, there was something about him for me. I saw a new channel 4 documentary about him a few weeks ago and spent the evening in tears!

Snowjokes · 04/04/2023 14:02

I think it’s totally normal to feel affected by the death of a celebrity who has somehow played a part in your life. Terry Pratchett, Chester Bennington and Robin Williams all brought a few tears for me. I think in some ways it’s an acknowledgment that we can never go back to those points in time when that person affected us.

BellePeppa · 04/04/2023 14:10

AlphaAlpha · 04/04/2023 10:28

I still feel incredibly sad when I think of Keith Flint, Chester Bennnington and Taylor Hawkins. Such icons to me, and desperately sad that Keith and Chester felt that suicide was their only choice.

Chester Bennington is one I still can’t believe is dead when I see him or hear one of his songs. His voice and sound were so unique and I was shocked when he died.

spiderlight · 04/04/2023 14:13

Paul O'Grady's death has really got to me as well. The only other times I've been this upset about a celebrity were Robin Williams and Paul Ritter.

Such a shame that the mural has been defaced already.

phoenixrosehere · 04/04/2023 14:18

I definitely teared up when Chester Bennington from Linkin Park died. Their music his voice was a massive part of my childhood and teen years. Helped me feel a lot less alone and that someone somewhere understood.

I teared up a bit writing this, tbh.

ShagratandGorbag4ever · 04/04/2023 14:24

I was shocked and saddened by the death of Hilary Mantel, who was comparatively young at 70 and still at the height of her powers.

MoreSleepPleasee · 04/04/2023 14:29

I don't get it personally but wouldn't say you're unreasonable for having emotions. I've never been upset by a celebrity death.

Theunamedcat · 04/04/2023 14:35

It's harder for me when they have animals my friend passed all I could think of was her poor pet being in the same room then taken away by strangers 😔

I remember watching Paul o'grady when my fil was having heart surgery his wife said I can't believe I'm here laughing finding things funny when they are chopping my husband up down the hallway

It's an awful thing to have happened

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 04/04/2023 14:36

I have also felt thrown by the death of Paul O'Grady he should've had years ahead of him.

Other celebrity deaths were I felt genuinely upset

Chadwick Boseman - out of nowhere

Alan Rickman

Amy Winehouse - really thought she would beat it and go on to be an all time great more than she already was.

Foodie6 · 04/04/2023 14:39

There was a talented young lady I used to watch on YouTube growing up called Christina Grimmie. She was a couple years younger than me and I watched all her singing videos as she released them. She got quite a lot of popularity in the end and it was awesome to watch her grow up with me and see her success emerging. I'll never forget the day I woke up to see on BBC news that she went to hug someone at the meet and greet of a concert and they pulled a gun out and murdered her as she was going in for a hug.

I know she wasn't a traditional celebrity as such but I think that's the only famous death that affected my mood for a few weeks. I was actually devastated and listened to her songs on repeat for a while. She was only early 20s

MaryJean87 · 04/04/2023 14:40

He was a lovely man. I never met him but I know a few family members and friends who had several times and they only ever had wonderful things to say about him. My mum was gutted when she heard. He will be missed so much.

dottiedodah · 04/04/2023 14:42

I think it was so unexpected really. I read that he had been super busy in the last year, but had had previous heart trouble.I adore dogs and he did so much for Battersea and taking in animals as well.My dear friend died recently ,and she was so kind and gentle .Always seems the good die young

Jux · 04/04/2023 14:43

Some people make the world a better place.

I remember being heartbroken when my favourite author died, no more pearls of wisdom dropping from his pen, no more imagining sitting at his feet in awe and happiness listening to him just talking.... for me he embodied a wisdom I would would never achieve.

For each of us there is a light that goes out with a death.

Paul O'Grady was reputedly a wonderful human being, and for you a light has gone out with his death. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sad he's gone, he clearly made the world slightly better just being himself. RIP

Zuffe · 04/04/2023 14:48

I dreamed last night I was working with Sade on her new album. In that dream she died when the first single was released. I woke up this morning in a heavy panic and needed to say something to her.

Spiderysenses · 04/04/2023 14:51

Charlotte Coleman's death really affected me, I think because she was so young (33), I remember her being the same age as me when she was a child actor in Educating Marmalade. Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is still one of my favourite TV adaptations. She died from an asthma attack which also hit me as I have asthma too.
Actress Annie Wersching's very recent death was also a shock, again quite young and out of the blue.

ILoveaSunflower · 04/04/2023 14:52

I recently discovered the music of talk talk and discovered Mark Hollis their singer passed away in 2019. I grieved for him at the same time as discovering him, it was so sad.

FullBloom · 04/04/2023 15:04

Spiderysenses · 04/04/2023 14:51

Charlotte Coleman's death really affected me, I think because she was so young (33), I remember her being the same age as me when she was a child actor in Educating Marmalade. Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is still one of my favourite TV adaptations. She died from an asthma attack which also hit me as I have asthma too.
Actress Annie Wersching's very recent death was also a shock, again quite young and out of the blue.

Me too.

George Michael's death affected me as well.

Poepourri · 04/04/2023 15:26

Spiderysenses · 04/04/2023 14:51

Charlotte Coleman's death really affected me, I think because she was so young (33), I remember her being the same age as me when she was a child actor in Educating Marmalade. Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit is still one of my favourite TV adaptations. She died from an asthma attack which also hit me as I have asthma too.
Actress Annie Wersching's very recent death was also a shock, again quite young and out of the blue.

Agree, she was about my age too. I can remember her in lots, from a kid in the 70s version of Worzel Gumming. The last thing I saw her in was a sitcom called 'How do you want me?'
It was a lovely show, gentle comedy, although she didn't look well in it - very thin.

Blondewithredlips · 04/04/2023 15:28

His death has also upset me so much. Such a kind, wonderful man RIP.

ComeOnNumber100 · 04/04/2023 15:31

Funkyslippers · 04/04/2023 09:41

This might sound a bit silly but I was really affected by the death of Michael Hutchence. It just seemed so senseless and there were no real answers as to why it happened, although the coroner ruled suicide. I was a massive fan of his and still feel sad when I read about him. So I understand OP. We often feel a connection with a famous person so it's natural to feel upset when they die

I adored him. Have you seen Mystify : Michael Hutchence?
A really good documentary about him. His family, the band, Kylie Minogue and Helena Christiansen all participated. I won’t say anything about it in case you haven’t seen it but there’s information that wasn’t released previously about him.

Squirrelsnut · 04/04/2023 15:32

It's comedians that get me, especially Victoria Wood. Rik Mayall too.