Paul O’Grady will reportedly be laid to rest this week in a private ceremony at Aldington Church.
Paul O’Grady will reportedly be laid to rest this week in a private ceremony at Aldington Church in his home village
The comic turned broadcaster, whose cause of death was revealed on Saturday (15.04.23) as cardiac arrhythmia after he passed away aged 67 on 28 March, is said to be set for a funeral on Thursday (20.04.23) in his home village, according to The Sun.
It reported locals in the village where Paul lived with his husband Andre Portasio have been “invited to line three streets as a mark of respect”.
A source told the newspaper: “Paul’s funeral will be completely private but Andre wanted to make sure locals were involved in some form.
“He has invited them to come out on Thursday and pay their respects to the cortege which will be taken down three certain streets in the village.
“A post was shared on the local community group by Andre so the word has started to spread.
“Paul was really popular with locals so it is expected the entire village will be out to pay their respects to him.”
It was reported at the weekend a celebration of life-type ceremony will be held in honour of Paul at his favourite safari reserve near his home in Adlington.
It’s now thought the event at Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe, Kent, where the stand-up used to love to visit, will be held after his funeral.
A source told the Mail on Sunday about the plan: “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. Staff hope they can do him proud.”
Port Lympne paid tribute to Paul – who gave a home to five abandoned dogs –following his death with a post on its Instagram page that said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Paul O’Grady – a local supporter of Port Lympne and the work we do. We were incredibly grateful to have had him visit us.”
Port Lympne’s 600 acres host more than 900 rare and endangered animals, including monkeys, lions and tigers.