Battersea dogs will form guard of honour at Paul O’Grady’s funeral today

As Eurovision kicked off in spectacular style with the first Semi-finals on Tuesday night, fans across the UK were left feeling more than a little emotional when the late Paul O’Grady appeared in the show’s opening video. Starring in the Welcome to Liverpool video, the Birkenhead-born star, famous for his drag persona Lily Savage appeared on screen to flash his trademark smile alongside a clear twinkle in his eye.

Weeks after his unexpected death Paul O’Grady has appeared on screen once more, in a special short film to mark the opening of the Eurovision Song Contest and welcome the world to Liverpool.The late comedian and TV stalwart, originally from Birkenhead, Merseyside, was one of a host of celebs to take part in the film to show his pride in his home region – which is taking on competition hosting duties in 2023 on behalf of Ukraine.The project was one of the last things Paul filmed before his death, and his posthumous appearance has been approved by his family and friends. He died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on March 28 at the age of 67.

Craig Revel Horwood fought back tears as he opened up on This Morning about the loss of his friends Paul O'Grady and Len Goodman, who passed away within just weeks of one another.The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 58, appeared on the ITV show to promote the theatre production of Annie in which he is currently starring as Miss Hannigan. Prior to Paul's unexpected death in April, the two men had been alternating the role. Reflecting on this, Craig said: "It was after Edinburgh, he said his goodbyes and how much he was enjoying doing it.

Craig Revel Horwood spoke of the moment he found Paul O'Grady's had died. The Strictly Come Dancing judge was sharing the role of Miss Hannigan in the musical stage show Annie with O'Grady in the weeks before his tragic passing.

67-year-old, known for his character Lily Savage, was laid to rest at a private funeral in Kent last week. Fans of the animal lover were also invited to join a procession through the streets around Aldington before heading to the church. Dogs and their owners also lined the streets in Paul's hometown of Birkenhead.

Paul O'Grady's celebrity friends reminisced over the late star and sang his praises following his funeral on Thursday. After the late comedian was laid to rest, a new post shared on his Instagram account read: "Yesterday was a very sad day. We said goodbye to our beloved Paul O'Grady.

Paul O’Grady’s final wish has been revealed after thousands of people turned out to pay their respects to the beloved star.The MBE comedian died unexpe ctedly at his home at the age of 67 on 28 March. During the funeral procession on April 20 his tearful husband, Andre Portasio, could be seen cuddling one of their dogs as he sat on a horse-drawn carriage with the TV legend being carried past mourners who lined the streets.The funeral church service was packed with celebrity guests who were close pals with Paul with some having worked alongside the star.

The heartbroken daughter of TV presenter Paul O'Grady wrote a devastating note to her late father which she left outside at his funeral this week.

Paul O'Grady's celebrity friends reminisced over the late star and sang his praises following his funeral on Thursday. After the late comedian was laid to rest, a new post shared on his Instagram account read: "Yesterday was a very sad day. We said goodbye to our beloved Paul O'Grady.

ITV star was laid to rest in Kent on Thursday April 20, following his death aged 67 last month. Ronnie Wood, Jo Brand, Gaby Roslin and BBC EastEnders star Linda Henry were all in attendance. Peter Tatchell also appeared, alongside Jo Brand.

Much-loved TV legend Paul O'Grady has been laid to rest in a private service attended by his loved ones and celebrity pals.The funeral of the comedian, presenter and Lily Savage icon was held at St Rumwold’s Church in the village of Bonnington in Kent on Thursday afternoon, conducted by Reverend Canon Roger Martin. Paul passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" on March 28 at the home he shared with his husband, Andre. His cause of death was later revealed as "sudden cardiac arrhythmia".

Paul O'Grady's heartbroken daughter Sharyn Mousley arrived to his funeral on Thursday with her son, who carried the late TV star's iconic Lily Savage wig, in emotional scenes. Sharyn, 48, who is Paul's only child, looked visibly upset as she arrived at St Rumwold's Church in Aldington, Kent for her beloved father's funeral, following his death on 28 March.

Paul O’Grady’s funeral got underway with hundreds of fans lining the streets to pay their respects to the beloved entertainer, following his death last month.  The For The Love Of Dogs star died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on March 28 at the age of 67 and his cause of death was later revealed to be a cardiac arrhythmia.  It was recently confirmed that O’Grady would be laid to rest in his adopted hometown village of Aldington, Kent on April 20 following a private service at a nearby church.

Paul O’Grady's devastated partner Andre Portasio cradled one of his beloved pet dogs as he rode as part of the late entertainer's funeral cortege as it travelled through the village of Aldington. Andre was visibly emotional as he saw the outpouring of love and grief for his husband of five years, after locals in the village were invited to line the streets as the cortege passed. TV legend Paul, who famously portrayed the drag act Lily Savage, passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" aged 67 on March 28 at home with Andre.

Paul O'Grady sadly passed away suddenly earlier this month, leaving his legion of fans and his family and friends heartbroken by the news. Paul's husband, Andre Portasio and family members will be saying goodbye to their loved one in Adlington, Kent, after the popular TV star passed away unexpectedly at the age of 67.  And personal notes have been left outside the church attached to wreaths of lilies ahead of his private funeral service. Paul's daughter Sharyn heartbreakingly wrote in her note: “Gongan, we miss you so much, Abel and Halo will never forget you.

A host of famous faces have arrived at Paul O’Grady’s funeral to mourn their late friend.The TV favourite passed away “unexpectedly” aged 67 on 28 March, leaving his friends, family and fans heartbroken. Paul is being laid to rest in a private ceremony in Kent, where the star had lived for 20 years years. Ahead of the service, fans of the late comic and presenter lined the streets to pay their respects – dogs and all.

A guard of honour by animals loved so dearly by Paul O'Grady from Battersea Cat and Dogs Home will take place before the much loved comedian's funeral today (Thursday, April 20).

Beloved comedian and Drag Queen Paul O’Grady is set to be laid to rest today as his family, friends and fans gather to mourn and celebrate his life in Kent.The comedian tragically passed away at the age of 67 on 28 March 2023 from a sudden cardiac arrhythmia, which is an unexpected heart attack with no apparent cause. Paul’s funeral will take place on Thursday, 20 April and pay tribute to his work as a charity ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.The service will see a number of dogs from the shelter form a Guard of Honour for the late comedian as a special nod to Paul’s work.

Fans of Paul O’Grady are planning a massive celebration of his life alongside the private funeral planned by the late star’s husband, Andre Portasio.The Lily Savage star passed away suddenly earlier this month in the news that shocked the nation and close friends like the Queen Consort, Camilla.The TV host had a decades-spanning career and became one of the UK’s leading TV personalities on shows like Blind Date, Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs and the Great British Escape. Andre is hosting a private ceremony in Kent on Thursday, April 20, while fan Janine Ferguson is planning an event in the star’s hometown of Birkenhead, Merseyside.

Paul O'Grady's funeral date has been confirmed for this Thursday as his funeral procession will pass through his home village in Kent.The television star's widowed husband, Andre Portasio, shared a snap of the late entertainer smiling while wearing white angel wings. He wrote: "I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of support and love I have received since the passing of our beloved Paul O'Grady. "Your kind messages, beautiful flowers, and thoughtful texts of condolences have brought me comfort and solace during this difficult time.