Following the tragic news of Paul O'Grady's death, tributes have come flooding in across the country, with many focusing on his love for animals.
The comedian-turned-presenter became well known throughout his career for his love of dogs. He spent much of his life rescuing and rehoming vulnerable pups and was even an ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats home as well as a patron for Wildlife SOS.
The British TV icon helped dozens of animals be welcomed into new families. However, his love for canines was so big that sometimes he would relent and take them home himself.
By the time he passed away, it is understood that Paul and his husband Andre Portasio had five rescue dogs in their Kent home. They were called Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage.
Nancy and Sausage were both rescued from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home during filming for his show, something which Paul promised he would never do. He once said that "under no circumstances" was he allowed to bring any more animals into the home.
However, in February, Paul revealed that he simply couldn't resist and brought home Sausage, affectionately referred to as Soz. The wire-haired dachshund found her way to Battersea's centre in London after being discovered as a stray in Poland.
"I took this hairy little monster home. She's called Sausage, which isn't very original but it doesn't matter as she can't understand a word of English except 'biscuit'," Paul said on Instagram.
Just two years before this, Paul revealed Nancy to his followers on social media, explaining that he'd been approached by a rescue charity to foster a dog during filming. "I'd grown quite fond of this little pup so I took her home. Of course, I fully intended to keep her from the start and I've called her Nancy," he said.
In the past Paul had tragically had to say goodbye to some loveable pets. One of the most well-known being the shih tzu bichon frise Buster who died of cancer at the age of 14.
A page devoted to Buster on Channel 4's website read: "Having grown up on the Big Breakfast Show and Lily Live, he's happiest on television.
"The only downside to being on the show is all the baths he's made to have, as he's happiest rolling around in the dirt on Paul's farm."
Four years before this, Paul announced that his cairn terrier cross, Olga, was diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to treatment, the loveable canine managed to live for another four years before passing away at the age of 14.
At the time of her death, Paul said: "I'm really sad but there was no choice but for Olga to be put to sleep. She was ready to go. At least I will have a good night's sleep now. I have been up with her for two nights on the sofa. She's been up in the night vomming and things.
"It's the hardest thing to do but it’s the only thing to do. I knew it wasn't Olga any more, she was a state. I shed my tears earlier on in the week. It's heartbreaking. but she had a great life. She loved television studios."
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