Paul O’Grady latest — Fans say the same thing about final series of Dog show following Lily Savage star’s death

Paul O’Grady tried to convince the Queen to adopt a corgi 

Paul O'Grady asked the Queen to adopt a stricken corgi, it has been revealed.

The telly great tried to get the beloved monarch to take a pooch home with her to add to her famous pack when she visited Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

Ali Taylor, head of canine behaviour at the charity, has told  of the Lily Savage actor's work with animals - and revealing his "sneaky tactics" of using his celeb connections to help house pets.

The dog expert revealed that Paul had so much love for the often abandoned and abused animals at Battersea that he went to great lengths to find them homes.

This included putting in calls to big-name pals to try and get them to adopt a pup.

Ali recalled: "Those he couldn’t take home with him, he’d try to find a home for.

"He’d always be on his phone to friends. He’d say, 'I’ve got a plan'.

"Paul had a close relationship with the Royal Family — when the late Queen Elizabeth visited Battersea, he was trying hard to persuade her to take a Corgi home.

"He also had a brilliant relationship with our royal patron, Camilla — she has two Jack Russells from Battersea."

Paul recalled performing during a police raid

The TV star started off performing in one of the most famous London gay bars, the Royal Vauxhall Tavern.

In 1987 he was on stage performing his outrageous drag persona Lily Savage when police raided the venue.

Paul O’Grady recalled the night in an Instagram post.

He said: “They made many arrests but we were a stoic lot and it was business as usual the next night.

“I was in quite a few police raids all over the country at the time. I was beginning to think it was me – in fact the South London Press, in an extremely homophobic article, called Lily ‘a lascivious act’ which I was very proud of.”

Paul made a name for himself as Lily Savage

Born on June 14, 1955 in Birkenhead, before he hit the big time, Paul performed as Lily Savage in the 80s.

He started off working the drag circuit with his act across pubs and clubs, and as he grew popular he eventually toured the country.

From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed annually as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for his act.

Paul followed this with a show titled Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which proved to be a sell-out.

He went on to host Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast for a year in the mid-Nineties, as alter ego Lily.

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 spoke about his own death in an interview 

Paul O’Grady spoke about his own death in a past interview and insisted he had “no fear” of dying.

After suffering two of three heart attacks – one in 2003 and another in 2006 he said: “I do count my blessings. I have had two heart attacks, and if I get to 60 that will be amazing. I don’t fear anything nowadays.”

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 O’Grady’s heartbreaking final post

Paul O’Grady spoke of his heartache at losing one of his beloved pets just days before he died at age 67.

Just two weeks ago Paul told how he was grieving – after the loss of one of his beloved pet pigs.

Along with a video of the hog, animal lover Paul wrote: “Got back from a week in Newcastle playing Miss Hannigan in Annie to find that Tom Tom, one of my pigs had been put to sleep. 

“I knew it was coming as he’d been diagnosed with a tumour but even so it’s awful when you lose a pet. 

“He was the cheekiest of the gang and one of the other pigs who was obviously very fond of him is now depressed and gone into mourning and there’s those who say that animals don’t have feelings. 

“On a lighter note I’m thoroughly enjoying playing Hannigan again after so long especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast. Next stop Edinburgh.”

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.

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.”

About 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.

Andre and Paul moved in together during pandemic

Andre Portasio and Paul O’Grady lived apart at first after their wedding, moved in together during the pandemic.

Andrew taught ballet online, while Paul learned to play the ukelele and spent house baking.

The couple maintained their separate bedrooms and bathrooms, though.

Paul told The Sun: “I remember Joan Collins on my show saying the secret to a happy marriage was different bathrooms. She was right — and separate bedrooms also work a treat. I don’t like sharing a bed.

“What if I want to read? I also have to listen to the shipping forecast before I sleep.”

The couple shared a sprawling property near Kent which featured a fruit orchard, an outdoor swimming pool, and a summer house.

Fans found tonight's episode 'hard to watch'

Fans of Paul O'Grady found tonight's episode a "hard one to watch".

One viewer said they "cried all the way through" the scene of Paul cuddling Peggy before her operation.

Fans were in tears last week after spotting special dog tribute

Paul O’Grady fans were in tears last week after spotting a subtle dog tribute to the late star.

Paul passed away suddenly at the age of 67 with his husband Andre by his side.

ITV put together a tribute show showing brief highlights of Paul’s long and varied career.

It showed him in the early days performing in pubs in London, to hitting megastardom as Lily Savage, all the way up to his series set inside Battersea Dogs Home.

The emotional clips already had fans feel the tears forming in their eyes, but then a subtle tribute on the show had them crying at home.

As clips played of Paul’s career, they appeared on a television screen watched by a number of dogs on a sofa.

Just 30 minutes to go

Not long to go now!

Just 30 minutes until Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs returns to our screens for the final series.

Battersea's tribute to ‘much-loved Ambassador’ Paul O’Grady

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home paid tribute to Paul O’Grady.

Battersea Chief Executive, Peter Laurie said: “To many, Paul O’Grady was the immensely popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth.

”Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.

”Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.

“Paul had an extremely hands on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages.

”He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life. He will be dearly missed.”