Paul O'Grady will be laid to rest at his funeral today in Kent, with fans and beloved dogs lining the streets to pay their respects to the much-loved TV icon.
The entertainer, famously known as drag queen Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" at his home on March 28 at the age of 67.
His official death certificate confirmed that Paul died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
The presenter and radio star had spoken openly about his health battles with heart disease, having endured three heart attacks before the age of 65.
His family had a history of heart disease, with his mother and father once both suffering heart attacks in the same week.
Sadly his father's proved to be fatal, and his mum later died of a separate attack.
Paul revealed he had been 'expecting' his first heart attack in 2002, when he said: "I'd sort of been waiting for it… all of our family has died of heart disease. But I never thought I wasn't going to make it. God, no."
After that, he was determined not to suffer the same fate as his parents and spent three years living his life in the healthiest way possible.
The party-loving star quit his 40-a-day smoking habit and embraced the outdoors, starting the day with a swim and taking long country walks near his home in Aldington, Kent.
He told The Mirror at the time: "You've no idea how much I've looked after myself - gym, swimming, long walks, soya milk... to think I've deprived myself of Jersey full-fat milk for all this time."
Sadly he fell off the wagon and started smoking again in 2005, a year after ex-partner and manager Brendan Murphy died of brain cancer aged 49.
Then in 2006, the Cheshire-born writer experienced a second attack in 2006 as he shopped in Waitrose.
Paul said he thought 'I'll be ok in a minute', and so headed home, made himself ice cream and meatloaf before taking painkillers.
After a raft of tests and surgery to clear a blocked artery, he was released from hospital and placed on blood thinning medication.
He told The Mirror : "I'm like a broken toy - I'm f****d. I think I should really just be taken out and shot."
Paul added: "The doctor said I'd put a lot of pressure on my heart with a trauma like that and that it's not uncommon for something to happen a year later."
In January 2014, Paul spoke out about a third heart scare and said he'd decided to spend his life doing what he wanted, even if it shortened his life.
"I'd rather live life to the full, even if that's five or 10 years. That's better to me than sitting at home and living for 30 years," he said.
He previously joked he was "counting his blessings" in regards to his health and said it would be a "miracle" if he reached 60.
Paul also spoke about his cigarette addiction contributing to his ailing health.
"I've always said I have two great loves, Benson and Hedges, so it's not been easy quitting," he once quipped.
Announcing the tragic news of Paul's death in a statement last month, husband Andre Portasio said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
"We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
"He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
"I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."
