Paul O’Grady’s latest photo shows the late TV star and drag act posing with a dog in Edinburgh, where he appeared in a stage production of the musical ‘Annie’ before his death aged 67.
The actor and comedian smiled warmly as he hugged a dog in a photo shared to Instagram three days ago.
Another photo from three days ago shows the suddenly deceased O’Grady posing with a fan outside the Edinburgh Playhouse.
And a third snap from five days ago shows the star dressed up as Miss Hannigan, the main antagonist in Annie, holding another dog.
In a statement released early this morning, O’Grady’s partner Andre Portasio confirmed that he passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully”. His cause of death is not immediately clear.
O’Grady was photographed with a miniature dachshund a few days before his death
This photo of Paul O’Grady was posted by a fan three days ago after a performance of Annie in Edinburgh
He was an ambassador for the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home and had placed several rescue dogs himself.
O’Grady’s partner Mr Portasio said earlier this morning: “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 played Miss Hannigan in a theater production of Annie in Edinburgh
Paul O’Grady had a daughter, Sharyn, right (pictured with his newborn granddaughter)
O’Grady previously spoke of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014 and kidney failure
The star rose to fame as Lily Savage in the 1980s and 1990s before becoming a household name in the early 2000s
O’Grady poses at Buckingham Palace after receiving his MBE in 2008
Paul O’Grady appears as Lily Savage, the Evil Queen, in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Amanda Holden (right) was among the celebrities paying tribute to the star this morning
O’Grady and Portasio wed in 2017 during a low-key wedding ceremony.
The father of one’s cause of death was not immediately revealed, but he previously spoke of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and kidney failure.
During his career he has hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank as well as ITV’s multi-award winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted Paul O’Grady’s famous ITV game show Saturday Night Line Up.
O’Grady took over the reins from longtime Blind Date presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015 while he was hosting the show’s Channel 5 reboot in 2017.
Last year he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to celebrate 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organization for which he was an ambassador.
The comedian and TV personality rose to fame as his drag queen persona before hosting a number of TV and radio shows, both as Lily Savage and himself.
But his career began worlds away from the glitzy glamor of the big screen, performing in the 1970s while also working for Camden Council in north London.
The comedian made a name for himself speaking out on LGBT issues and gained a mainstream following after being nominated for a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1991.
Celebrities including Vernon Kay, Amanda Holden and Lorraine Kelly are paying tribute to legendary drag act and TV star Paul O’Grady after his sudden death at the age of 67.
Amanda Holden paid tribute to the trailblazer with a photo on Instagram, saying: “Woke up to this sad, sad news. I loved Paul.
“He was brilliantly headstrong, sharp-witted and very funny. I loved our conversations. I can hardly believe it. Thoughts of Andre and her family.’
And Paddy McGuiness wrote on Twitter that O’Grady, who he endorsed on his chat show more than 15 years ago, “has always been supportive, kind and just awesome to be around.”