Paul O’Grady death LATEST — Lily Savage star’s husband Andre Portasio shares heartbreaking snap as tributes pour in

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Thank you for reading our coverage of the British telly legend's sad passing.

However, can stay up to date with the latest celebrity tributes to Paul O'Grady here.

What illness did Paul O’Grady have?

Paul O’Grady passed away on March 28, 2023, although his cause of death is yet to be revealed.

His husband Andre Portasio broke the tragic news, saying Paul had died “unexpectedly but peacefully”.

Over the years the popular entertainer suffered from numerous illnesses and health battles.

During a trip to India in 2017 he was hospitalised with kidney trouble while filming his animal show.

Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.

Paul then caught Covid in 2020 while filming for the second series of Sally Lindsay’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries in Malta.

He was left unable to work for two months as he fought it off.

What will happen to Paul O’Grady’s For The Love Of Dogs?

ITV has confirmed its plans for Paul's iconic show For the Love Of Dogs.

This comes after the Lily Savage star and dog lover tragically passed away this week.

After his death, some were wondering what the future held for the programme, but ITV have confirmed that the upcoming eleventh series will hit our screens as planned.

The programme, which first aired in 2012, will return on Thursday, April 13 on ITV at 8.30pm.

What were Paul O’Grady’s biggest shows?

During his life, Paul enjoyed enormous success, which cemented him as a household name.

He fronted numerous TV shows including The Paul O’Grady Show, The New Paul O’Grady Show, and Paul O’Grady Live.

The kindhearted star was known for his love of animals, and fronted Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, Paul O’Grady’s Animal Orphans, and Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes.

In 2018 he was presented with the Special Recognition Award at the NTAs after his stint on For the Love of Dogs.

In pictures: Paul's final holiday snap

Taking to Instagram yesterday, Paul O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio shared a heartbreaking snap of the pair.

The picture saw the Lily Savage smiling alongside their husband as they enjoyed their final holiday together.

Captioning the post, Andre wrote: "In time I hope to write to everyone individually and thank you for all posts, messages, phone calls, emails, cards and flowers of support.

“I much appreciate you all taking the time to reach out. I’m so very touched and I’m sure Paul would be too!

“Browsing for a picture I found the last picture we ever took together. Unbeknownst to us back in January this would be our last ever holiday together.”

Who is Andre Portasio?

Andre Portasio is a former-professional ballerina.

He began dating entertainer Paul O’Grady 11 years before they tied the knot.

He used to perform with the English National Ballet.

The pair began dating in 2006 before marrying in the summer of 2017.

Martin Lewis ‘shocked and saddened’

Tributes flooded in on Wednesday morning as TV stars learnt of the tragic news.

Martin Lewis took to Twitter to pay tribute to Paul saying: “Quite shocked and saddened to wake up to the news of Paul O’Grady passing.

“#RipPaulOgrady. A funny man, with incredibly quick wit, who made millions laugh.”

Fans react to Linda Thorson’s touching tribute

Appearing on Good Morning Britain yesterday, close friend of Paul O’Grady, Lina Thorson shared a touching tribute to the British TV icon.

She spoke of how Paul “lived each day as if it was his last” and was “over the moon during” his latest stint in theatre.

And viewers were left in bits after hearing the send-off, as one wrote: “Linda Thorson’s got me welling up again. He really was one in a million. We’ll all miss him.”

Another put: “Linda Thorson just gave a very real & passionate tribute to her close friend Paul O’Grady. What a wonderful kind man he was. He seemed to give so much to others.”

ITV confirm plans to broadcast a special tribute show to Paul O’Grady

ITV have confirmed plans to broadcast a special tribute show to the star on Sunday, April 9.

Entitled For the Love of Paul O’Grady, it will air on ITV1 as a tribute to his life and career.

Furthermore, the eleventh series of Paul’s much-loved show For The Love of Dogs will begin as planned on Thursday, April 13 at 8pm in his honour.

Did Paul O’Grady have any children?

In 1974 Paul had a daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen.

Paul shared a good relationship with his only child and gave her away at her wedding.

He also has a grandson named Abel and a granddaughter called Halo.

Watch the hilarious moment Paul O’Grady gets drunk on TV with Richard Madeley

Paul O’Grady‘s devoted following has been taking to social media in the wake of his tragic death to share their favourite bits from his star-studded career.

Fans have flooded Twitter with their favourite clips of Paul – including a TV appearance on This Morning in 1994.

The clip shows Paul, dressed as Lily Savage with large blonde hair and a pink dress, “getting rotten drunk” during a wine tasting.

Appearing alongside Richard Madeley, and his wife Judy Finnigan, the star could be seen knocking back the drinks.

At one point, the comedian even threw a glass into the river behind him before stumbling around and singing.

Watch the moment here.

Alan Carr remembers Paul O’Grady in touching post

Alan Carr took to Instagram on Wednesday to pay tribute to the late Paul O’Grady.

Sharing a sweet snap of the pair, Carr wrote: “I’ve been no use to anyone today.

“Loved Paul, who didn’t? A true one off.”

He added: “He will be missed SO much.

“My friend asked him recently ‘do you think you’ll go to heaven Paul?’ Quick as a whip he replied ‘I hope not, I won’t know anyone’.

“You legend.” 

What were Paul’s dogs called?

If there is one thing Paul O’Grady was known for, it was his never-ending love for man’s best friend.

The late TV icon had five pooches living with him and husband Andre Portasio.

The dogs are called Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage.

Elton John pays tribute to the iconic Paul O’Grady

Taking to Instagram, legendary pop star Elton John paid tribute to the late Paul O’Grady.

Sharing a snap of the Lily Savage star, John wrote: “Saddening news to hear of Paul O’Grady’s passing this morning.

“A brilliant entertainer, wit, and supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and the fight against AIDS and HIV who I was fortunate enough to spend time with including when he hosted @davidfurnish‘s and my Stag Party before our Civil Partnership in 2005.

“Thank you for all the joy you brought into the world, Paul. You went places nobody had gone before and we will miss you very much.”

Who is Andre Portasio?

Andre Portasio is a former-professional ballerina.

He began dating entertainer Paul O’Grady 11 years before they tied the knot.

He used to perform with the English National Ballet.

The pair began dating in 2006 before marrying in the summer of 2017.

More on Linda Thorson’s heartbreaking tribute

Revealing Paul’s last moments, close friend Linda Thorson told Good Morning Britain: “he died in his own bed.

“His husband was there, Andre, who has been with for so many years.

“The most divine man, he is only 41, he worships Paul.

“He gave a speech at Paul’s 60th birthday. And Cilla was there and Barbara Windsor, they’re gone.

“They’ll all be partying in Heaven you know. And the Queen.”

Paul O’Grady’s love for dogs

During his life, kind-hearted Paul O’ Grady welcomed a number of rescue dogs into his loving home over the years.

He had five pooches living with him and husband Andre Portasio.

The dogs are called Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage.

Paul announced the arrival of Nancy in 2020 on social media, where he said: “As Battersea Dogs and Cats Home had closed temporarily and I’d been filming there we were asked if we’d like to foster a dog.

“I’d grown quite fond of this little pup so I took her home.

“Of course I fully intended to keep her from the start and I’ve called her Nancy.”

Paul O’Grady’s health battles

Paul had openly spoke about his health problems and struggles over the years.

In 2002 the star suffered his first attack before having another in 2006 and 2014.

He previously told The Sun: “My cardiologist says I have the constitution of an ox.

“Three days after my last heart attack, I was back fire-eating with McFly.

“The heart is a muscle so you have two choices: Sit on the sofa and count your tablets all day, or get on with it and get moving — swimming and walking, gentle exercise.”

Did Paul O’Grady have any children?

In 1974 Paul had a daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen.

Paul shared a good relationship with his only child and gave her away at her wedding.

He also has a grandson named Abel and a granddaughter called Halo.

Fans slam BBC Radio 2 after Paul’s tragic death

Last night Radio 2 faced a backlash after tweeting: “We’re incredibly saddened to hear about the sudden passing of Paul O’Grady.

“Paul was a brilliant broadcaster and incredible comedian. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. We’ll miss you Paul.”

This comes after Paul felt “forced” to quit his long-held role with the broadcaster.

Fans reacted angrily, with one saying: “You’ll miss him? We’ve missed him since you pushed him off air. Paul was a wonderful broadcaster and deserved much better than the shabby treatment he received from Radio 2.”

Another snapped: ‘Unfortunately this doesn’t feel so heartfelt from the BBC considering he lost his brilliant show.”

A third tweeted: “Paul’s Sunday show on Radio 2 was loved by many devoted listeners. 

Without any just reason, you brought it to an end. I find your sentiments rather disingenuous today.”

Susanna Reid forced to apologise as Paul O’Grady’s pal swears on live TV

Susana Reid was forced to apologise after Avengers actress Linda Thorson swore during an emotional tribute to best pal Paul O’Grady on Good Morning Britain.

Their chat eventually fell on a recent interview by Secretary Of State for Energy Grant Shapps which had aired on the show.

She told GMB anchor: “Paul would have hated all that bulls**t we have just had to listen to.”

Susanna quickly swerved in: “Apologies for that use of language.”

Battersea staff share their favourite memories working with Paul O'Grady

Staff at Battersea Dogs & Cats home have shared some of their favourite memories working alongside Paul O'Grady.

Taking to Twitter, the organisation wrote: ''Paul had a special relationship with our animals – whether it was a dog who was too worried to eat or go for a walk, over time, Paul would have them eating out of his hand & walking happily on a lead."

Paul’s pal reveals they shared ‘best conversation ever’ just a day before he died

Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Paul O’Grady’s close pal Linda Thorson revealed the pair shared a phone call just a day before he died.

She said: “Paul rung me on Tuesday at 3PM and we spoke for an hour.

“It was one of the best conversations we have ever had.”

Linda Nolan says she turned to ‘great friend’ Paul O’Grady amid cancer diagnosis

Heartbroken Linda Nolan has opened up on how her "great friend" Paul O'Grady supported her before his sudden death.

The 64-year-old revealed this week that her cancer has spread to her brain after being pictured in a wheelchair outside hospital.

Linda - who has been friends with Paul for almost 30 years - told The Sun how he would often check in with her about her health battle.

“I loved him," she said.

"He was such a great friend. Although we didn’t live in each other’s pockets, he would always pick up the phone or text me out the blue to see how I was keeping. 

"He was such an incredible talent and a great professional. He will be sorely missed by all of us.”

ITV confirm plans to broadcast a special tribute show to Paul O’Grady

ITV have confirmed plans to broadcast a special tribute show to the star on Sunday, April 9.

Entitled For the Love of Paul O’Grady, it will air on ITV1 as a tribute to his life and career.

Furthermore, the eleventh series of Paul’s much-loved show For The Love of Dogs will begin as planned on Thursday, April 13 at 8pm in his honour.