Paul O’Grady relives moment he nearly died after playing with wounded dogs in India – but admits he wants to go back
PAUL O'Grady has revealed he is planning to return to India despite almost dying following his last trip there.
Paul, 62, visited Delhi to film his new TV special For The Love Of Dogs: India but fell desperately ill after hand-feeding and playing with wounded street dogs.
The telly presenter contracted a near fatal virus, which caused severe vomiting, and was warned by doctors that he was at risk from renal failure.
Yet his brush with death hasn't put Paul off visiting the country again.
Speaking to, Paul said: "They said to me, ‘Keep off the streets, it’s Delhi’.
"But I was lying in the gutter with these two gorgeous little puppies.
"I’m feeding them by hand and flicking maggots out of a rat bite, and of course I must have touched my mouth or my face – you forget."
Paul, who has previously suffered three heart attacks, was rushed to hospital after he began vomiting and his temperature rocketed.
But he added: "It doesn’t faze me at all to go back. India is just alive.
"It’s full on, with shocking pollution and noise, but it’s unlike anywhere I’ve ever been before.
"The Western immune system is not built to cope with what Delhi chucks at you. But I love the people and to look around, it’s like a film set."
In January, Paul was honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards for his work with For The Love Of Dogs.
The documentary series first aired in 2012 and is primarily set at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in London.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
But last year, Paul flew to Delhi to shoot a four-part special; For The Love Of Dogs: India, which begins on ITV next week.
During the mini-series, viewers will see Paul meet the heroes who look after 400,000 street dogs.
For The Love Of Dogs: India airs at 8.30pm on ITV1, Thursday April 26, 2018.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 0207 782 4220
We pay for videos too Click here to upload yours.