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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Gwyn Wright

Paul O’Grady’s local school pays tribute with collages and dog drawings

PA Wire

Paul O’Grady’s coffin passes through Kent on hearse with tribute to Buster the dog

Paul O’Grady has ben laid to rest in a private ceremony featuring a special tribute from dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

The TV icon, who rose to fame as his drag queen alter ego Lily Savage before going on to host a string of TV shows, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at home last month aged 67.

His funeral took place this afternoon and featured a guard of honour with dogs, in a special nod to O’Grady’s work as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in 2012. He rehomed five dogs while filming his ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.

Local fans lined the streets to pay their respects as O’Grady’s coffin was led through his home town of Aldington in Kent. Stars in attendance at the funeral included Ronnie Wood, Alan Carr, Gaby Roslin, Jo Brand, and Julian Clary.

It comes after O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio posted in local Facebook groups inviting the local school and community to mourn the comedian, expressing his “deep gratitude” for the “overwhelming outpouring of support and love” he has received in the wake of his spouse’s death.

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