Last photo of Paul O’Grady shows star posing with dog in Edinburgh where he was performing in stage production of Annie – three days before his death
- Actor and comedian died unexpectedly yesterday, his partner has confirmed
- Paul O’Grady dies aged 67: Follow all the latest updates on our live blog here
The last photo of Paul O’Grady shows the late TV star and drag act posing with a dog in Edinburgh, where he was performing in a stage production of the musical Annie before his death at 67.
The actor and comedian was seen smiling warmly as he clutched a dog in a photo taken three days ago and shared on Instagram.
Another photo from three days ago shows O’Grady, also known as Lily Savage, posing with a fan outside Edinburgh Playhouse, and a third snap from five days ago shows the star dressed as Miss Hannigan, the main antagonist in Annie, while holding another dog.
He was a famous lover of all animals, but had a particular fondness for pooches having adopted several of his own from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
In a statement released early this morning, O’Grady’s partner Andre Portasio confirmed he had passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’. The cause of death has not been revealed.
O’Grady was photographed with this miniature dachshund a few days before he passed away
This photo of Paul O’Grady was posted by a fan after a performance of Annie in Edinburgh three days ago
O’Grady was an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and had rehomed several rescue dogs himself.
Announcing his death this morning, Mr Portasio 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.’
O’Grady and Portasio married in a low-key ceremony in 2017.
O’Grady had been due to continue a tour of the UK as Miss Hannigan, appearing in Southampton at the end of April.
He was also scheduled to play the role in Liverpool, Wimbledon and in Bristol in November.
Although the cause of the father-of-one’s death is not known, he had previously spoken of surviving kidney failure and heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014.
During his career, he 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 presented the ITV celebrity game show Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
O’Grady was playing Miss Hannigan in a theatre production of Annie in Edinburgh
O’Grady with his newborn granddaughter and daughter, Sharon
The star had spoken of surviving kidney failure and heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014
The drag actor shot to fame as Lily Savage in the 1980s and 1990s before becoming a household name in the early 2000s
O’Grady poses after receiving his MBE in 2008 at Buckingham Palace
Paul O’Grady in his Lily Savage persona performing as the Wicked Queen in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs
Amanda Holden was among the celebrities leading tributes to the star this morning
The comedian made a name for himself speaking out about LGBT issues and while performing as Lily Savage
Read more: How trailblazer Paul O’Grady shot to fame as drag act Lily Savage
O’Grady 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.
Last year he was joined by Queen Consort Camilla in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
The comedian and TV personality shot to fame as his drag queen persona before going on to host a string of television and radio programmes, both as Lily Savage and himself.
But his career began a world away from the glitzy glamour of the screen as he started performing in the 1970s while he was employed by Camden Council in north London.
He made a name for himself speaking out about LGBT issues and picked up 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 have led tributes to the iconic drag act and TV star.
Posting a photo on Instagram, Ms Holden said: ‘Woken up to this sad, sad news. I loved Paul.
‘He was brilliantly opinionated, searingly sharp and very funny. I loved our conversations. I can’t quite believe it. Thoughts with Andre and their family.’
Paddy McGuiness tweeted that O’Grady, for whom he stood in on his chat show more than 15 years ago, ‘was always supportive, kind and just great to be around’.
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