Kentish Express Ashford & District
Fan’s gift to Paul O’Grady returned to her damaged
kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk Aldington resident Paul O’Grady left an artist devastated when she discovered her Christmas present to him had been sent back unopened and damaged.
Debra Green, 51, from Deal, sent the popular TV presenter a painting she had completed during her university foundation course at UCA, in Canterbury, of Lily Savage and Dame Edna.
She sent it to ITVs The Paul O’Grady Show, only to have the parcel returned a couple of weeks later with the wrapping paper shredded and her letter opened but the painting had not been touched.
Mrs Green said: “It cost me £27 to send it off so to get it sent back without it even being opened is horrible. It’s in an awful state as well, it’s really hurt my feelings.
“I sent it to the correct address so I don’t understand why they’ve sent it back.”
Mrs Green said that she sent the painting by recorded delivery, meaning someone would have had to sign for the package at the ITV London address.
She said: “We always watch his show. He’s brilliant and this
‘He’s brilliant and this seemed so out of character. I was really shocked when I got it back like that
seemed so out of character. I was really shocked when I got it back like that.
“All the wrapping has been pulled and ripped off but you can see inside that it hasn’t been opened. It’s just not very nice.”
A spokeswoman for The Paul O’Grady Show said: “We have a dedicated team who deal with all mail from viewers and we have no record of receiving this package.
“Paul and the team treat all such mail with the utmost care and will be looking further into what happened on this occasion.”
Paul O’Grady won one of the top honours at last week’s National Television Awards with his show For The Love of Dogs beating off the challenge of The Great British Bake Off, Top Gear and An Idiot Abroad to scoop the gong for Best Factual Entertainment show.