Paul O’Grady’s family said at his funeral they will miss him “forever”.
Paul O’Grady’s family said at his funeral they will miss him ‘forever‘
The comic, broadcaster and animal rights campaigner, who rose to fame with drag alter ego Lily Savage and died aged 67 on March 28 due to cardiac arrhythmia, was honoured by scores of family, friends and loved ones at his final farewell in his home village of Adlington, Kent.
His husband Andre Portasio was seen wiping away tears today as he rode a horse and carriage carrying Paul’s coffin while clutching their dog Conchita.
He then led mourners into the stand-up’s private funeral service, with famous mourners including Ronnie Wood, Alan Carr, Jo Brand, Julian Clary, the late Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and ‘EastEnders’ actors such as Scott Malsen, Cheryl Fergison and Linda Henry.
Paul’s daughter Sharyn said in a note left in tribute to her dad: “Gongan, we miss you so much, Abel and Halo will never forget you. Your little teddy is with you. I love you.”
And a tribute from his heartbroken sister Sheila said: “Dear Paul, beloved and loved brother, brother-in-law and uncle. Will love, remember and miss you forever. Rest in peace.”
A floral wreath in the shape of Paul’s late dog Buster, who died from cancer in 2009, was pictured leaning against his coffin as it made its way to St Rumwold’s church.
Also with Paul’s daughter Sharyn was a young man holding a white Lily Savage on a stand, who is thought to be the comedian’s grandson.
In tribute to Paul’s love of dogs and the fact he rehomed five of them, three volunteers from the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home formed a guard of honour with a black Labrador cross and a pug as his coffin was carried by six pallbearers into the church.
A Salvation Army band struck up outside the ceremony, played a medley of songs including Tomorrow from the musical ‘Annie’, with which Paul had been touring with a production of the hit show at the time of his death.
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