Paul O'Grady will be seen being forced to say a sad goodbye in the final series of For The Love Of Dogs. It's set to be an emotional watch for fans of the ITV series following the death of the all-round entertainer last month. O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio confirmed the tragic news in a statement on March 29.
He said that the TV and radio star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on th evening of March 28. "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening," Mr Portasio said in his statement.
"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."
During his career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up. And following his tragic passing, his last filming stint at Battersea Cats and Dogs Home is set to air on Thursday evening (April 13).
In a first look at the episode, the late star, who hailed from Birkenhead, is seen caring for an adorable Newfoundland pooch Peggy who is in need of life-changing surgery on her back legs. O'Grady then works with a team of experts to nurse Peggy through eight weeks of physio, hydrotherapy and walks using a harness ahead of her rehoming.
Paul is later left devastated at having to say goodbye to Peggy once she's healed, emotionally telling her that he doesn't have the room to adopt her. According to the Mirror, O'Grady told Peggy: "Oh dear, I wish I was ready for you, Peggy, but I am afraid I can't do it this time, there is just no room at the inn.
"Peggy, it's been a real privilege meeting you, it's not every day you get to meet a special dog like you. You are very beautiful. It's been lovely knowing you, take it easy, Peggy." As Paul left her, Peggy started to whine, with the star telling her: "Don't start, Peggy, please. I'm going to get a job on the railways. It's too hard to say goodbye."
Over his years hosting the show, the Battersea ambassador adopted several dogs including Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross Eddie, Shih Tzu Boycie, Maltese Conchita, mongrels Arfur and Nancy, and a dachshund called Sausage.
The start of For The Love Of Dogs series 11, which was filmed last year, heard O'Grady say: "We’re back! The kennels are chock-a-block. The staff – and me – are worked off our feet. Looking after the latest waifs and strays to come through the doors." Paul is then seen adorably playing with some of the dogs in the home, and tells viewers about Peggy, a tiny and scared bichon desperate for love and a staffy-lab cross with a "unique obsession".
It comes after one of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home's staff members revealed how many of O'Grady's scenes at the rescue centre 'won't see the light of the day.' Speaking on Thursday's episode of Lorraine, he explained: "Anyone who knows Paul would acknowledge that probably half of what we filmed was unbroadcastable and will probably never see the light of day.'
Recalling one memory, he said: "This morning I remembered [when we were filming with a bulldog]. I think we were doing a wound check. He'd taken a shine to Paul and over the next ten minutes literally pulled Paul from one side of the kennel to the other and back again. At the end of the ten minutes, [Paul] was covered in fur and drool,and we realised we'd been filming the wrong dog. Lots of little memories like that."
READ NEXT:
- ITV Coronation Street's Elle Mulvaney 'so happy' as she's given career news after reunion as former co-star shares sweet message
- ITV Coronation Street's Tony Maudsley says he's 'hoping and praying' over soap's new arrival as he reveals 'designer' character secret
- Holly Willoughby says she's 'fallen in love' as she enjoys ITV This Morning break after surprising fans with throwback snap
- Paddy McGuinness says it's 'mind blowing' as he reveals little-known job before fame
- Helen Flanagan mistaken for famous pop princess in blonde bombshell display after slipping into bikini on second trip in days
