Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio, has shared a photo of the star’s headstone, along with an emotional tribute to his husband, who died in March 2023.
The TV host and creator of drag legend Lily Savage died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at his home in Kent. His death left fans and friends devastated. He was 67.
Portasio, who last year recalled how he tried to resuscitate the host of For The Love of Dogs before an ambulance arrived, took to O’Grady’s Instagram on to share the “final design” of the headstone.
Following a “lengthy application process” the headstone, which is dark grey, features O’Grady’s name engraved above that of his former long-term partner, Brendan Murphy, who died of a brain tumour in 2005.
A figurine of Paul’s dog Buster adorns the front of the headstone, next to O’Grady’s “favourite” quote from 16th-century philosopher Michel de Montaigne: “The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one’s own self.”
Portasio wrote: “My heartfelt thanks to the Commissary Court of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Parish of Bonnington and the Church of St Rumwold. Special appreciation to Robin Hopkins, commissary general of the Diocese of Canterbury, for granting permission for the final design, which features a replica of Buster, similar to the one at Battersea [dogs and cats home] headquarters.
“I miss him dearly every day but I am grateful that his resting place is now complete. I hope he would be pleased with the final design.”
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, where O’Grady was an ambassador, commented below the post: “What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. We miss him dearly.”
Someone else wrote: “It just makes me weep with happiness that you were kind enough to include Murphy in this: such a beautiful and selfless gesture.”
Another person said: “Can you imagine how many dogs were there waiting for him at the rainbow bridge, ready to show him all the love he showed them? RIP Paul.”
O’Grady hosted BBC show Blankety Blank as Lily before retiring his drag alter ego and going on front animal programmes, Blind Date and his own chat show. He also made appearances in Holby City, Doctor Who and Brookside on TV, and opposite Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite on the big screen in In the Name of the Father.
He was appointed MBE in the 2008 Birthday Honours list.
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