From Battersea to Birkenhead, fans of Paul O’Grady have begun to line the streets as they prepare to bid a tearful goodbye to the entertainer, whose funeral is taking place near his home in Kent today.
The popular comedian and presenter, whose TV program ‘For the Love of Dogs’ has been watched by millions, will make his final journey from his home village of Aldington, near Ashford, flanked by a ‘canine honor guard’.
The tribute is made up of dogs from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where the 11 series of his award-winning ITV show were filmed.
More than £270,000 has been raised for the charity since his death from an abnormal heart rhythm on March 28 aged 67.
O’Grady, who first rose to fame as bitter drag queen Lily Savage, became an animal rights organization ambassador in 2012 and rehomed five dogs while filming the series Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.
Thousands of locals and fans from across the country will line the streets of the village as the funeral procession passes and The Salvation Army Band will play at the procession and service.
Paul O’Grady fans head out with their pooches ahead of Thursday’s funeral for the late TV icon
Students and teachers at Aldington Primary School pay homage to Paul O’Grady with collages of their drawing of dogs along the way of his funeral
Paul O’Grady died last month at the age of 67 from an abnormal heart rhythm, shocking fans across the UK and around the world
Paul’s husband Andre Portasio withheld details about the private service and where a wake would be held afterwards. Many of Paul’s celebrity friends are expected.
But he posted on local Facebook groups about the funeral procession through their village after being touched by the “overflow of support” from locals.
Andre wrote, “I am incredibly grateful for the support and love I have received from our community and we want to thank each and every one of you for your kindness and generosity.”
Paul was also today commended for his tireless work for animals by the RSPCA, of which he was a patron.
David Bowles, the charity’s director of public affairs, told GB News: “Paul O’Grady was a huge supporter of rescue dogs, and indeed all animals, and it showed in his presentation.
“He didn’t do it as a job. He did it because his love for them shone through and he was an extremely caring person who cared deeply for them.
“He’s synonymous with Battersea but he’s done a lot of other things. He won an RSPCA Animal Heroes Award for his work with animals and he even raised a sheep on his smallholding that had been abandoned.
“It is thanks to him that the animal was saved.”
“He was extremely empathetic and compassionate and I think that’s the really important message that I think your viewers need to take home as tonight’s funeral takes place.
A fan waits outside the Walnut Tree pub in Aldington, Kent, with their dog in a pram holding a thank you sign, ahead of the funeral procession for Paul O’Grady, who passes by on the way to his funeral at St Rumwold’s Church
“Thank you, Mr. O’Grady!”: Sincere tribute to the late entertainer from Adlington Primary School students and teachers who hold up banners and drawings along the route of the funeral procession
Pupils at Aldington Primary School pay homage to Paul O’Grady with collages of their dog drawings
A sign outside the Walnut Tree pub in Aldington, Kent, ahead of the funeral procession for Paul O’Grady, who travels past on his way to his funeral at St Rumwold’s Church
Students and teachers at Aldington Primary School pay homage to Paul O’Grady with photo collages along the route of the funeral procession
“He also had this amazing talent for bringing the public around and tapping into the love of the British public. of animals.’
Mr Bowles also explained Battersea’s “honor guard”, whose dogs have also honored Queen Elizabeth and Queen Camilla during visits to the rescue home in south London.
He said: “The dogs are all wearing pennants and they just sit there in a row and I’ve never seen that honor guard misbehave. You must choose the dogs very well. They are all very, very well behaved, well obedient.
“They sum up the message Paul conveyed that if you want a good, well behaved, well researched dog, go get a rescue dog. And I think that’s a testament to what he’s been saying in his messages about the love for dogs series for the past 13 years.
A private event is to be held after the funeral at Port Lympne Safari Park near his home, which is just three miles from Aldington, where Paul lived and where he often judged animal competitions.
Nearly 300 miles from Aldington in Paul’s hometown of Birkenhead, fans were expected to line the streets with their rescue dogs to say their goodbyes at the time of the funeral.
Organizer Janine Ferguson said the event was “to pay our respects and celebrate the life of Paul O’Grady together.
She wrote on a local Facebook group: “Please everyone, let’s give Paul O’Grady the best farewell to Birkenhead of the day. Let’s do Paul O’Grady Proud.
‘RIP Paul O’Grady, you will always be in our hearts, gone but you will never be forgotten’
Janine told the Globe: “I am a huge lover of Paul O’Grady and I was absolutely traumatized to hear that he had passed away. It really upset me, I think it hit everyone… It was devastating to hear because everyone loved him so much.
She said the plan is for people to “line the streets with their families and bring their dogs as a mark of respect.”
“I have asked that all local rescue dog and cat shelters also participate so we can collect donations from everyone there,” she added.
“It started out as just a small idea, but it’s gone absolutely insane. I am overwhelmed by the positive response and the feedback on it.
The funeral of the comedy and television star will take place between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., accompanied by music from the Salvation Army Band.
Fans were shocked and heartbroken when the news of his death was announced last month.
O’Grady had been open about his struggles with a heart condition which was linked to his death, according to his death certificate obtained by the Daily Express.
The grandfather of two had three heart attacks between 2002 and 2014 while also battling kidney failure and being unable to work for two months after contracting Covid in 2022.
Both his parents and grandparents died of heart problems, while his brother and other members of his family also suffered heart attacks.
The star rose to fame as pioneering comic drag act Lily Savage before becoming one of the country’s most popular TV hosts and DJs.
Ex-ballet dancer Andre Portasio, who married O’Grady in 2017, paid tribute to his “humour, wit and compassion” in a statement announcing his death.
O’Grady had his first seizure at just 46 years old, where he was rushed to the hospital and underwent two hours of surgery.
He then quit smoking after previously reporting he was getting through 40 cigarettes a day.
Locals were also invited to line the streets near Paul’s home as the funeral procession passes through the village where he lived. Pictured: Paul O’Grady and partner Andre Portasio
But a little over four years later, the TV presenter was back in the hospital after a second heart attack at the age of 51.
And after suffering an angina attack in 2013, O’Grady also reportedly suffered a third heart attack in 2014.
Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndrome – or SADS – occurs when a person’s heart stops suddenly and unexpectedly and the cause cannot be found.
This stops the heart from pumping blood throughout your body, stopping breathing and delivering oxygen to the brain.
Also known as Sudden Adult Death Syndrome, it affects around 500 people in the UK each year.
His death certificate was registered by his PA and agent Joan Marshrons six days after his death.
In 2022, while filming in Malta, O’Grady also fell ill with Covid-19, leaving him breathless and unable to work for two months.
When the electrical impulses that control your heartbeat go wrong, it can result in an abnormal heart rhythm called an arrhythmia.
O’Grady married Portuguese lesbian barmaid Teresa Fernandes in 1977 to stop her deportation. They divorced in 2005.
Decades earlier, in 1974, he had his only child, a daughter named Sharyn Mousley, with dear friend Diane Jansen. O’Grady is also grandfather to Sharyn’s son, Abel, who was born in 2006 and is now 16, and Sharyn’s daughter, Halo, who was born in 2009.
Paul O’Grady’s partner Andre Portasio posted a new picture of the entertainer smiling broadly while donning white angel wings
Paul O’Grady hosted the classic TV quiz show Blankety Blank as his alter ego Lily Savage
Following the death of Mr O’Grady, Mr Portasio said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully last night.
“We ask that at this difficult time, while you celebrate his life, that you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by loved ones, friends, family, animals and everyone who enjoyed his humor, wit and compassion.
“I know he wants me to thank you for all the love you’ve shown him over the years.”
O’Grady became a household name in the early 2000s, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a number of television programs including his self-titled daytime chat show, The Paul O’Grady Show, which aired in 2004.
He also took over management from Blind Date’s longtime presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, to host the show’s Channel 5 reboot in 2017.
He also fronted Blankety Blank and ITV’s award-winning For The Love Of Dogs.
The final series of the ITV show aired this month, paying tribute to the late presenter and leaving viewers in tears.
The national treasure was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors 2008 for services to entertainment. He attended the ceremony with his daughter Sharyn.