Paul O'Grady's emotional husband cuddled their beloved dog as he rode the horse-drawn carriage carrying the late TV star in his coffin.
Andre Portasio, the TV star's husband of 16 years, clutched Maltese Conchita as they made their way through the adoring crowd in the Kent village he lived.
The horse-drawn carriage slowly made its way to the church where Reverend Canon Roger Martin welcomed family and friends including comedian Julian Clary, actress Dame Sheila Hancock, the late Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and EastEnders actor Scott Maslen.
The Salvation Army Band played songs such as Tomorrow from the musical Annie – in which O’Grady was starring in a touring production at the time of his death.
Paul's wooden coffin, adorned with a wreath of lilies, was been carried into the church ahead of his funeral.
Among the arrivals was his daughter Sharyn Mousley who entered with a young man holding the wig of Lily Savage – O’Grady’s drag alter ego.
Birkenhead-born Paul was exceptionally popular figure in his local community and hometown, with tributes taking place in both Merseyside and Kent as the world says their final goodbyes to the TV icon.
Paul's husband Andre Portasio announced the star's 'unexpected but peaceful death' at the age of 67 on March 29, with tributes from Paul's famous friends and fans flooding in throughout the day.
The Lily Savage star 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.
The amount of mourners gathered to see Paul off as he was laid to rest in Kent today was testament to how many lives the star touched before his untimely death last month.
Throughout his life, Paul performed multiple selfless acts of kindness - including marrying a friend to prevent her being deported.
Paul, an openly gay man, previously admitted he had tied the knot with Portuguese ex wife Teresa Fernandes in 1977 to stop her from being deported.
The Blankety Blank presenter met Teresa in a gay club where they worked, and he decided to marry her out of "convenience" and to stop her being "hassled" by her family.
Despite losing contact, they only legally divorced in 2005 after being married for 28 years, but Paul said he had never been in a relationship with her.
Speaking about the marriage, Paul said: "Teresa, I call her the lesbian Portuguese barmaid, was lovely. She looked like David Cassidy.
"We worked in a club in Westbourne Grove, London, when I was 22. She was from a very strict Catholic family and was always being hassled by them: 'Why aren't you getting married?' So I said: 'Come on then, we'll get married', and we did. We were married for 28 years."
He also admitted he had forgotten he had married the barmaid all those years ago, until his manager Brendan reminded him. His manager had told him: "If anything happened to you, everything would go to your wife. It's like a real-life Corrie storyline."
Although Paul never had children with his 'wife' Teresa, he did welcome a daughter with another woman.
Back in 1974, Paul became a father to his only child Sharon, with his dear friend Diane Jansen.
The TV star has a great relationship with his only child, and he even gave her away at her wedding when she tied the knot with her childhood friend, Philip Moseley.
Lifting the lid on the special day and his special bond with Sharon, Paul previously said: "It was a really great day. Sharon looked fabulous and Philip is a smashing fella. They fit together like a pan and a lid.
"Sharon wore a lovely floaty pale pink dress – because she looks shocking in white. She looked like a Disney princess."
Paul found true love of his own when he met Brazilian ballet dancer Andre, who was 25 years his junior, at a London-based gay 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 Andre 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.
Announcing the tragic news in a statement in the early hours of the morning on March 29, Paul's husband 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."
