Paul O'Grady has been laid to rest alongside his former partner Brendan Murphy, it has been reported. The TV star, who passed away last month at the age of 67, was devastated in 2005 when Brendan, his manager and former partner, passed away from an inoperable brain tumour, The Mirror reports.
Paul's funeral on Thursday, April 20 saw a procession through the streets of Kent before a church service, as the popular star made his final journey. While a private service was held for Paul's friends and family, a fan named Janine Ferguson hosted a sweet event in Paul's hometown of Adlington, which saw fans break out into song when remembering their icon.
Brendan sadly passed away just days before Paul was due to celebrate his 50th birthday in 2005, with the Lily Savage paying tribute to his close friend shortly after his tragic death.
Click here to learn how to claim your FREE National Trust Family Pass
Paul told the Mirror: "I’d lost my best mate, someone who’d been in my life for 25 years and saw me through the days when I was lucky to earn £50 for standing on a beer crate in the corner of a pub telling jokes. Murph and I were like brothers – joined at the hip, thick as thieves.
"It transcended any sexual relationship we’d had. This was a partnership. A double act, Emma Peel and Steed, Laurel and Hardy. We were both 49, barely able to believe what we’d achieved – I’d just won a BAFTA for the Paul O’Grady Show – and then suddenly bang, he’s gone."
Paul went on to find love again when he when he met Brazilian ballet dancer Andre at a London-based club Showplace.
The pair struck up a friendship and eventually tied the knot at the plush Goring Hotel in Central London in 2017.
Paul, who began dating his widow Andre Portasio 15 years before becoming a married man, previously admitted that he had never considered marrying him until fellow comic Julian Clary suggested it.
"Julian put the seed in my head. He said, ‘I’ve got married. You should'," Paul recalled.
"And he’s right, then you protect your partner. If anything happens to me, he is protected. It makes sense."
"You feel more committed. You have made a vow, you have to stick to it. But we still fight like cat and dog," Paul added.
Andre was the one who shared the devastating news Paul had passed away last month.
Paul is survived by his husband, ex-wife Teresa Fernandes, daughter Sharon O'Grady, grandson Abel, granddaughter, Halo and Diane Jansen, the mother of his only daughter.
READ NEXT:
Ex-drug-dealing couple placed under house arrest after police busted enterprise
Tram passenger 'stamped on head' and kicked repeatedly in Bulwell
Two men deny the murder of 46-year-old Darren Davis in Radford
Drugged up man with a massive machete tried to escape on e-scooter
Arsonist started fire when armed police descended on Ripley flat
