'My pup salutes you!': Dog lovers pay tribute to Paul O'Grady

‘My pup salutes you!’: Dog lovers pay tribute to Paul O’Grady after fans lined the streets of home town Birkenhead as TV star was laid to rest

• Dog lovers have been posting touching tributes to the TV host since yesterday
• Paul O’Grady was laid to rest in Kent, which he had called home for 20 years 

Dog lovers have been sharing pictures of their own pooches in tribute to the late Paul O’Grady, who was yesterday laid to rest, as fans in his hometown of Birkenhead gathered to remember their hero.

The beloved TV presenter, who came to fame as drag act Lily Savage, died following a cardiac arrest late last month.

He was yesterday laid to rest near his small village of Aldington, Kent, when he had called home for the last 20 years. 

O’Grady was a well-known animal lover, a long-time ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats home, and even presented his own show based around the charity called For The Love Of Dogs. 

The touching posts came after hundreds lined the streets of Aldington yesterday and dozens gathered in Birkenhead with pets to celebrate his life.

TV presenter and drag act Paul O’Grady, also known as his altar-ego Lily Savage, died following a cardiac arrest late last month

Dog owners shared their heartbreak at the loss of the 67-year-old, who died of cardiac arrhythmia. 

One posted a picture of their pet and said: ‘RIP Paul O’Grady, laid to rest in the area I grew up in today. You were loved by a nation.  They say a dog is a man’s best friend. You Paul were their best friend.’

A second said: ‘RIP Paul O’Grady. Such an inspiration for dog lovers. Our dog Buster salutes you as you leave a big hole in our world.’ 

Read more: Paul O’Grady fans share photographs of their dogs as they pay tribute to the TV star on day of his funeral

A third added: ‘That was particularly poignant to me. My little dog was seriously ill a year ago.  The vet wanted to PTS [put to sleep]. I refused, asked for a referral and it was the same [vets] Paul O’Grady took Peggy too. After being there three weeks, they saved my little boy’s life. Paul would have loved to know.’

Yesterday, fans in Birkenhead were singing and chanting as they remembered their hometown hero.

Meanwhile hundreds of well wishers holding bouquets of flowers lined the streets to watch the cortege, which travelled from Paul’s home in Adlington to a picturesque 12th century, Grade I listed church in nearby Bonnington.

The popular comedian and presenter, who found fame as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage and whose For the Love of Dogs TV show was watched by millions, made his final journey flanked by a ‘dogs guard of honour’ made up of dogs from Battersea.

Many members of the public also brought their own dogs to watch the funeral cortege pass. 

O’Grady’s daughter Sharyn Mousley donned a black face covering as she walked into the service alongside a young man, believed to be the comedian’s grandson, who was holding a Lily Savage wig.

His husband, former professional ballet dancer Andre Portasio, walked into the church cradling one of the couple’s dogs, having ridden atop the horse-drawn carriage which transported Mr O’Grady to the church.

Husband of Paul O’Grady, Andre Portasio, carrying one of their dogs, arriving for the funeral of Paul O’Grady at St Rumwold’s Church

He looked visibly emotional throughout the procession, as well as the walk to the church.

After the private ceremony, guests attended a reception at Port Lympne Safari Park. 

Despite moments of great poignancy following the star’s sudden death, there were also laughs when clips of Mr O’Grady’s best loved shows and gags were played to attendees. 

The congregation also giggled when the church’s organ went out of tune during a hymn.

The service featured a series of personal tributes to the entertainer, including a bronze statue of his beloved late dog Buster that had been placed on a leopard-print throw.

A photograph of a smiling O’Grady was placed at the front of the Grade I listed parish church surrounded by arrangements of lilies in a nod to his drag alter ego, Lily Savage.

The order of service also featured a photograph of O’Grady dressed in drag with the quote ‘See you down there’, and a picture of the comedian cuddling a baby orangutan.

Source: Read Full Article