As his other half Andre Portasio released an unseen video taken just 20 minutes before the TV legend passed away at his home, Paul O’Grady spent his final days surrounded by his beloved dogs.
In a posthumous video, Paul O’Grady introduces his dog Eddie.
Paul O’Grady’s husband has shared a heartbreaking video of the TV presenter taken just 20 minutes before he died as more detail of his final moments are revealed. Beloved presenter Paul died in March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at just 67 years old, surrounded by his beloved pets and partner, Andre Portasio.
The video taken shortly before his sudden death shows Paul sitting in an armchair cuddling one of his much-loved dogs. The presenter seemed in great spirits as he thanked fans for their support. Just 20 minutes later, the iconic broadcaster died from a cardiac arrhythmia.
READ MORE: Paul O’Grady fans have same response as star seen beaming 20 minutes before death
Paul had no signs of dying before his sudden death, according to those closest to him and who knew him. The entertainer’s grieving husband, Andre Portasio, who wed him in 2017, shared the video as a homage to the presenter.
Andre wrote in the Instagram video, “It’s amazing how our minds can shield us from the pain of loss in shock. I lost a video that Paul’s last recorded on camera just 20 minutes before he tragically passed, and it came to mind in my iPhotos today. You can see him in this bittersweet moment as the sincere person he was, showing his gratitude to everyone for funding his book at an award ceremony he was unable to attend.
It’s difficult to believe his passing has occurred two years ago. He spends the entire day surrounded by his devoted dogs. @paulogrady, we miss you dearly. Happy birthday, heaven-seekers! #paulogrady. “
Paul said, “Hi everyone, I’m Paul O’Grady, and I just want to say a huge thank you for reading my book, as well as for voting for it. Thank you so much for your kind gift. “I’m absolutely delighted with my award.
Andre told a heartbreaking story to The Mirror last year about how Arfur, another of Paul’s dogs, nuzzled him after he passed away. The saddest part of everything is that I was trying to keep the dogs out of the room when all of this happened, and I was trying to revive him.
Andre said, “But somehow Paul’s favorite dog Arfur escaped and nuzzled his face on Paul’s shoulder as if to say “wake up.” It was “heartbreaking.”
Following the pandemic, Paul and Andre relocated together. They raised five rescue dogs, Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage, as well as pigs, alpacas, chickens, sheep, and goats at their Adlington home in Kent.
Andre said in a statement from March 28 that “he will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who enjoyed his humor, wit, and compassion. He would want to thank you for the love you have shown him over the years, I am aware of.
According to Paul’s close friend and colleague Malcolm Prince, Paul was “full of life” when he called in for a visit the day before his death. In a heartfelt tribute, Malcolm tweeted on the day of his death: “Yesterday afternoon I popped round to Paul’s for a good old catch-up. Surrounded by his beloved dogs, he was laughing, smiling, and full of life.
He was “so proud of (musical) Annie,” “so happy to be back on Boom Radio,” and “he was anticipating so many exciting projects.” He is now gone. I’m in shock about it. We both lost a special talent, and my dear friend also lost. Paul’s presence in our lives was a blessing. Andre, Paul’s family, and friend are my thoughts and prayers. Oh my goodness, I’ll miss him.
Andre also described the typical day-to-day life of the television personality. When Paul said he wanted to make a “cup of tea,” which was our little code for rolling a spliff, he told the audience at the funeral, “We had a very ordinary day, just watching TV together at home.”
“So Paul went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, brought it back, lit it, and started smoking it,” he said. “That was our final and final interaction.” He died in his chair there.
Just two weeks before Paul’s passing, Paul’s final social media post revealed that he had spoken of losing his beloved pig. To let his followers know that he was grieving the passing of Tom Tom, who had a tumour, needed to be put to sleep, he wrote a heartfelt caption.
The 67-year-old “knew it was coming,” but he still felt bad about losing a pet, and he also called the hog “the gang’s cheekiest.” He continued, “On a lighter note, I’m thoroughly enjoying playing Hannigan again, especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast. Next, Edinburgh, please.
Right up until his death, the actor had been happily touring around the country in a production of Annie, playing character Ms Hannigan. He was even due to play the part for an additional week in June in Liverpool. While his sudden passing came as a shock, the comedian’s health had been ailing for years and he previously survived several heart attacks.
READ MORE: The Range’s ‘gorgeous’ £12.99 wall art that ‘looks more expensive’
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply