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NO HEADSTONE FOR PAUL
TV favourite Paul O’Grady’s grave still has no headstone due to red tape — 18 months after his death
One pal would like to see a headstone with an engraving of Paul's dog Buster
TV favourite Paul O’Grady’s grave still has no headstone — 18 months after his death.
The resting place of the star, who died last year aged 67, is marked only by a pair of wooden crosses and some ornaments.
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Pal Sue Lanbourn, 74, added: “It needs a proper headstone, even something simple like an engraving of Paul’s dog Buster.”
Plans for a memorial in St Rumwold’s Churchyard in Bonnington, Kent, have been submitted but are tied up in red tape.
Paul’s former agent Joan Marshrons said: “It is unfortunately a lengthy process.
“Rest assured as soon as it comes through a fitting memorial headstone will be in place."
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The Diocese of Canterbury, which manages the churchyard, said it is waiting on the ecclesiastical court to grant a permit to put up a memorial because it is consecrated land.
A spokesperson said: “A petition was sent to the Commissary Court for a faculty for a memorial to the late Paul O’Grady in June 2024.
“The petition for the memorial in St Rumwold’s Churchyard is in the process of being assessed by the relevant authorities, which is the case for any faculty petition.
“The faculty process is a legal process, independent of the church locally.
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“The decision making for this memorial is within the usual time frame for any such application.”
For the Love of Dogs fans break down in tears after emotional tribute to Paul O'Grady as Alison Hammond takes over
Paul's death was previously ruled as sudden cardiac arrhythmia - which happens when a person dies from a cardiac arrest, and no obvious cause can be found.
Earlier this year, it was revealed Paul had left a staggering £15.5million in his will - with £125,000 set aside for his five pet dogs.
He also left half a million pounds to the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Animal lover Paul left a total of £775,000 to organisations close to his heart, including donations of £50,000 to elephant and orangutan charities.
He also gave £50,000 to the Salvation Army, whom he’d been a lifelong fan of as a result of them helping the needy in his native Liverpool when he was growing up.
Prior to his death, Paul had spent 11 years at the helm of ITV1's Paul O'Grady: For The Love Of Dogs, which focused on the tireless work at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
The comic had made an entire career while playing his drag queen alter-ego Lily Savage. Paul hosted shows including The Big Breakfast, Blankety Blank and Lily Live! as Savage.
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