PAUL O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio has shared an emotional statement following the TV star’s unexpected death.
The legend passed away last night from causes which have not yet been revealed.
Paul O’Grady husband Andre Portasio asked people to respect the family’s privacy
The star passed away at the age of 67
Husband Andre said the death happened “unexpectedly” but Paul went “peacefully” at the age of 67.
It comes after the Lily Savage and Radio 2 star battled health problems for years.
Announcing the tragic news, former-professional ballerina Andre asked for privacy as the family grieve.
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.”
In 2002 Paul suffered his first heart attack before having another in 2006 and 2014.
During a trip to India in 2017 he was hospitalised with kidney trouble while filming his animal show.
Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.
Most recently, he told how covid “wiped me out”.
The presenter caught the virus in 2020 while filming for the second series of Sally Lindsay’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries in Malta.
He was left unable to work for two months as he fought it off.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have since paid tribute to the “devoted animal lover” and “champion for the underdog”.
The organisation, which Paul was an ambassador for, praised his “razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth”.
In a statement Battersea chief executive Peter Laurie said: “Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres.
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.
“Paul had an extremely hands-on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages.
“He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life. He will be dearly missed.”
During Paul’s career, he went on to host Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast for a year in the mid-Nineties, as alter ego Lily.
He then fronted BBC game show Blankety Blank from 1998 to 2002, as Lily, and in 2004 landed his own teatime chat slot, The Paul O’Grady Show, on Channel 4.
In 2008, he got an MBE and in 2010 the National Television Awards Special Recognition gong.
he then took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.
