Paul O’Grady. (Anthony Harvey/Getty)
Veteran TV and radio star Paul O’Grady has received an outpouring of love and support after he said he has “definitely” had coronavirus.
The 64-year-old had been self-isolating because, having previously suffered heart attacks, he falls into the at-risk group with long-term health conditions.
Despite his self-isolation, he told radio presenter Gabby Roslin that his symptoms have made him certain that he contracted COVID-19, although he is now feeling better.
According to Metro, he said: “I’m alright now. Last week I had flu like symptoms. I didn’t have the cough bad, I certainly didn’t have the temperature or anything like that so I just got on with it.
“That was when the heating had gone so it was minus two down here and freezing and I thought someone had got it in for me. I’m fine now.”
Asked whether the symptoms indicated coronavirus, he added: “Most definitely. That’s knocking about, but there’s also flus and seasonal colds going about so you’ve got to tell yourself and learn the difference.
“The coronavirus – you’d know if you caught that. I lay on the couch with the fire on and the dogs on top of me moaning.
“When you are lying on the couch dying, or you think you are… It was sheer exhaustion like Chris Evans had too.”
Distraught fans took to social media to send love and support.
His fans took to social media to send their love and support.
One person wrote: “Paul O’Grady better be OK, he is one of my most loved celebrities and possibly the kindest man on the planet.”
Paul O’Grady better be OK, he is one of my most loved celebrities and possibly the kindest man on the planet 🙏
— Lisa Wilson (@lisawil) April 10, 2020
please oh please don’t let anything happen to paul o’grady he’s a gem please no😔😔😔 pic.twitter.com/0iLVg7kPL5
— 🌸 *¤° кĮ𝔨𝓲 °¤* 🌸 (@httpwonuwu) April 9, 2020
Another wrote: “F**k you COVID-19. Paul O’Grady is off limits.”
Fuck you covid19
Paul O’Grady is off limits pic.twitter.com/y67pTVSxHJ
— Werewolves, Not Swearwolves #teammotherabigail (@punka1977) April 9, 2020
Paul O’Grady has been using an unusual remedy to treat his symptoms.
Paul O’Grady has made up his own herbal mixture to treat his symptoms.
He told Gabby Roslin: “There’s a concoction – four thieves vinegar – and I made it up.
“Basically this is the recipe which is cider vinegar with as many cloves of garlic in it as you can take and four different kinds of herbs to represent the four thieves.
“I’ve got a bit of rosemary, parsley, and lemon grass, and bay leaf and leave it to steep and just have a tiny little bit every day.”
This treatment has no proven benefits.