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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Tasha Hall

Paul O'Grady suits up for TV special as Battersea dogs home celebrates 160 years

Paul O'Grady was back at Battersea as the dog rescue centre celebrates its 160th anniversary of finding our fluffy friends their forever homes.

It comes as STV announced a schedule shake-up to make way for the special programme, following the heart breaking news of Paul O'Grady's death aged 67.

The television icon has had many years of experience with dogs, also having five pooches living with him and his husband Andre Portasio - Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage.

But he has always held a soft spot for rescues and has been highly passionate about finding dogs who struggle to find a loving home their new safe haven.

Paul had been working with animal rescue centre Battersea for 11 years, with Queen consort Camilla-Parker Bowles now the leading lady as their current ambassador which she stepped up to in 2017, even owning two of the rescue dogs herself.

Paul was in his element during the programme as he was filmed snuggling into the pups at the rescue centre. (STV)

"She [Camilla] is great because she's dog mad like me and she is so easy to talk to," Paul told producers.

We saw in the programme Camilla had planned a garden party with A-listers in attendance such as Amanda Holden, as Paul looked sharp in a black suit hilariously admitting "I had to google how to tie my tie, as I forgot during the lockdown."

Paul's bond with all the dogs was heart warming to watch, as he admitted he "struggles" not being able to take them all home, as the centre expressed the growing concerns of overcrowding with more owners giving up their pets due to rising costs.

And one dog which seemed to tickle Paul's weakness was eight year old Reggie, who had been struggling to find his forever home due to his older age and long list of medical issues which meant he was often left behind.

"Do you fancy coming with me to a very posh party?," Paul said to the dog as he patted him fondly and referred to him as "my boy"

When he took him to the Clarence House garden party Paul and the guests were left in stitches as he dragged the TV icon around the royal grounds, apologising as the large dog bulldozed through people's legs almost knocking Paul off his feet.

Paul O'Grady introduced Reggie to the Queen Consort at the garden party (STV)

"He's got a few medical PROBLEMS," Paul said as he was whisked off his feet attempting to introduce the dog to guests.

"He's quite lively," he added laughing as he was thrown around "It's really good to see how he copes with crowds and strangers.... oh sorry," he said as he bumped into someone else.

"Reggie I told you to behave! he's taking me for a walk," he laughed as the dog attempted to go into the royal residence.

"We can't go in Clarence House, not with my track record," Paul joked as he added Reggie had likely killed the plants.

The programme, which was filmed last year, showed a heart warming moment Paul dressed up at Christmas to give out all the dogs presents as he said he needed to "leave the sherry aside" as more dogs needed him.

Later on in the programme, we saw that Reggie found his forever home with all the other dogs in the programme also settling down with their new families.

"It takes a special person to take on an older dog, you will enviably suffer heartache as they are not going to live for very long but as I always say why contemplate the hangover when you are at the party," added Paul.

"It has been a hectic year but it has also been fun and there's definitely been some benefits, get the booze out."

There was no tribute to Paul O'Grady at the end of the show, likely due to the news just sadly being announced today and filming having taken place last year.

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