PAUL O’Grady’s life will be celebrated at the animal park where he was a regular, according to reports.
Plans are underway for the much-loved broadcaster – who died last month – to be remembered at Port Lympne Safari Park.
TV legend Paul O’Grady’s cause of death was confirmed yesterday
Port Lympne is a 600-acre reserve him Kent, where he lived
The Mail on Sunday reports that Paul‘s life will be marked at the reserve, which is near where he lived in Kent.
A source told them: “Paul loved Port Lympne. He got to know some of its residents very well and it was thought by his nearest and dearest that it would be a beautiful idea to hold his funeral there so they are in attendance, too.”
The parks contains more than 900 rare and endangered animals and includes an elegant country house hotel.
It is thought that there would also be a service at a nearby church close to the park, which has been running since the 1970s.
The was revealed yesterday that Paul’s official death certificate confirmed that he died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome – also known as SADS – is the term used when someone dies after a cardiac arrest and no obvious cause is found.
Paul suffered heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and his parents both died of heart issues.
Speaking in 2020, when he was 65, the star opened up to The Celeb Report about suffering three heart attacks, kidney failure and a Covid scare.
He said: “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.”
Paul died on 28 March, with his husband Andre Portasio issuing a statement to reveal the heartbreaking news.
He said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
“We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
“I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”
TV star Paul was one of Britain’s best-known animal lovers
