Late stars including Paul O’Grady, Darius Campbell-Danesh and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s son Nicholas honoured at this year’s Olivier Awards
Famous faces who sadly passed away were honoured during the Olivier Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Sunday.
Hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, 48, the evening recognised achievement in UK theatre.
During the ceremony stars including Paul O’Grady – who died suddenly earlier this week aged 67 – were remembered.
Others honoured included Darius Campbell-Danesh, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s son Nicholas, Dame Angela Lansbury, Hilary Mantel, Burt Bacharach, Bernard Cribbins, and Kay Mellor.
Shanay Holmes performed with the EdArts Choir during the emotional segment which saw the late star’s photos displayed on a large screen for the star-studded audience.
In memory: Famous faces who sadly passed away were honoured during the Olivier Awards at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Sunday including Paul O’Grady who passed away earlier this week
The legendary TV presenter – who rose to fame in the 1990s with his drag queen persona Lily Savage – died ‘unexpectedly and peacefully’ on Tuesday evening, according to his partner Andre Portasio.
He said in a statement: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that
‘Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
‘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.’
His long time radio producer Malcolm Prince had visited O’Grady – who had recently been touring as Miss Hannigan in the stage musical Annie – at his home earlier in the afternoon.
He tweeted: ‘He was so proud of Annie, so happy to be back on Boom Radio, and he was looking forward to so many new projects.
RIP: Meanwhile pop star Darius passed away in August 2022 after inhaling the anaesthetic drug ethyl chloride aged 41 (pictured in 2009)
Sad: The legendary TV presenter – who rose to fame in the 1990s with his drag queen persona Lily Savage – died ‘unexpectedly and peacefully’ on Tuesday evening (pictured in 1997)
Sad news: The entertainer’s husband Andre Portasio announcing the sad news on Wednesday (the couple are pictured here at the Royal Opera House in London in 2018)
‘And now he’s gone. I can’t believe it. We have lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend.’
Paul – who was made an BME for services to entertainment in 2008 – first started performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s, going onto launch The Lily Savage Show on the BBC in 1997.
Meanwhile pop star Darius passed away in August 2022 after inhaling the anaesthetic drug ethyl chloride.
The West End star was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 41.
A statement from his family said: ‘The results of medical examinations have confirmed that Darius’s death was an accident caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically lead to respiratory arrest.
RIP: The evening also honour Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Nicholas who died aged 43, following a battle with gastric cancer last week (Pictured in 2022)
Honour: Also remembered were author Dame Hilary Mantle (left) who passed away in September 2022 and Dame Angela Lansbury (right) who died aged 96 two months later
‘Darius was suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010.
‘We would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness, and ask that the family’s privacy is maintained during this difficult time.’
Simon Cowell, 63, who first met Darius in 2002 when he finished in third place on Pop Idol, released a statement honouring the star who passed exactly 20 years after he topped the charts with his critically-acclaimed single Colourblind.
Darius famously turned down a record deal from Cowell but the two have remained friendly over the years and reunited at an X Factor party and recording.
The evening also honour Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Nicholas who died aged 43, following a battle with gastric cancer last week.
The 75-year-old Oscar-winning composer shared the news on Twitter writing: ‘I am shattered to have to announce that my beloved elder son Nick died a few hours ago in Basingstoke Hospital.
Big win: Paul Mescal (left) and Jodie Comer (right) both won their first Olivier Awards at the star-studded ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall
Celebrations! The duo posed together backstage following their big wins
Hold it tight! They proudly grasped their awards that feature the image of legendary actor Laurence Olivier
‘His whole family is gathered together and we are all totally bereft. – ALW’
Nicholas followed in his father’s footsteps and was a successful composer in his own right, having written Fat Friends The Musical.
He was married to musician Polly Wiltshire, who appeared on the soundtrack of his father’s 2019 movie Cats.
During his career, Nicholas also scored music for an adaption of The Little Prince as well as composing numerous TV and film scores, including for the BBC1 drama Loves, Lies, and Records.
Nicholas previously spoke about making his own way in the theatre world away from his famous family name in a 2011 unearthed interview.
He said he wanted to be ‘judged on his own merits’ so dropped his surname when working to see what the reaction would be.
Paul Mescal and Jodie Comer both won their first Olivier Award at the star-studded ceremony on Sunday.
What a night! Irish actor Paul, 27, triumphed for his powerful perfomance as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire following a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre
Love: During his speech he thanked his beloved mother Dearbhla, who is receiving treatment for cancer , before adding: ‘I hope you get better’ (pictured together at this year’s BAFTAs)
While the Killing Eve star’s one-woman show Prima Facie was awarded Best New Play, A Streetcar Named Desire in which Paul starred triumphed in the Best Revival category.
The Irish actor, 27, won for his powerful perfomance as Stanley Kowalski following a sell-out run at the Almeida Theatre.
In his his speech Paul thanked his beloved mother Dearbhla, who is receiving treatment for cancer, before adding: ‘I hope you get better.’
Addressing the diagnosis herself on social media, his mum previously told her followers that she was starting to ‘live with cancer’, having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma which is a type of bone marrow cancer in July 2022.
Winner: Meanwhile Killing Eve star Jodie, 30, triumphed and was awarded Best Actress for her role in one woman play Prima Facie
Overwhelmed: During her speech she told the star-studded audience: ‘I’m so overwhelmed. This play has changed my life. I am so grateful and I have so many people to thank’
Meanwhile Killing Eve star Jodie, 30, triumphed and was awarded Best Actress for her role in one woman play Prima Facie.
During her speech she told the star-studded audience: ‘I’m so overwhelmed. This play has changed my life. I am so grateful and I have so many people to thank’.
‘To Suzie Miller for writing the most exquisite play I have ever had the pleasure of reading’.
‘One thing I would like to say to any kids who haven’t been to drama school, who can’t afford to go to drama school, who has been rejected from drama school, don’t let anyone tell you that it isn’t possible.
‘It might take the stars to align and you to be met with generous, kind, patient people but it is possible.
‘Mum, Dad, I love you, and my Grandad is 82 today so happy birthday.’
Olivier Awards 2023: The Winners
Best Actor
Tom Hollander – Patriots
Paul Mescal- A Streetcar Named Desire – WINNER
Rafe Spall – To Kill a Mockingbird
David Tennant – Good
Giles Terera – Blues for an Alabama Sky
Best Actor in a Musical
Alon Moni Aboutboul – The Band’s Visit
Arthur Darvill – Oklahoma – WINNER
Julian Ovenden- South Pacific
Andrew Rannells – Tammy Faye
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Will Keen- Patriots – WINNER
Elliot Levey – Good
David Moorst – To Kill a Mockingbird
Mark Akintimehin, Emmanuel Akwafo, Nnabiko Ejimofor, Darragh Hand, Aruna Jalloh – Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy
Sule Rimi – Blues for an Alabama Sky
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Rose Ayling-Ellis – As You Like It
Pamela Nomvete – To Kill a Mockingbird
Caroline Quentin – Jack Absolute Flies Again
Sharon Small – Good
Anjana Vasan – A Streetcar Named Desire – WINNER
Best Director
Rebecca Frecknall – A Streetcar Named Desire
Robert Hastie – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Justin Martin – Prima Facie
Phelim McDermott – My Neighbour Totoro – WINNER
Bartlett Sher – To Kill a Mockingbird
Best Revival
The Crucible
Good
Jerusalem
A Streetcar Named Desire – WINNER
Best Original Score or New Orchestrations
Standing at the Sky’s Edge –WINNER
The Band’s Visit
My Neighbour Totoro
Oklahoma
Best Actress
Jodie Comer – Prima Facie – WINNER
Patsy Ferran – A Streetcar Named Desire
Mei Mac – My Neighbour Totoro
Janet McTeer – Pheadra
Nicola Walker – The Corn Is Green
Best Actress in a Musical
Katie Brayben – Tammy Faye – WINNER
Anoushka Lucas – Oklahoma
Miri Mesika – The Band’s Visit
Faith Omole – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Best Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Sharif Afifi – The Band’s Visit
Peter Polycarpou – The Band’s Visit
Clive Rowe- in Sister Act
Zubin Varla – Tammy Faye – WINNER
Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Beverley Knight – Sylvia – WINNER
Maimuna Memon – Standing at the Sky’s Edge
Liza Sadovy- Oklahoma
Marisha Wallace – Oklahoma
Best New Play
For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy
Patriots
Prima Facie – WINNER
To Kill a Mockingbird
Best New Musical
The Band’s Visit
Standing at the Sky’s Edge – WINNER
Sylvia
Tammy Faye
Best Revival of a Musical
My Fair Lady
Oklahoma – WINNER
Sister Act
South Pacific
Best Entertainment or Comedy
Jack and the Beanstalk
My Neighbour Totoro – WINNER
My Son’s a Queer, (But What Can You Do?)
One Woman Show by Liz Kingsman
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