Paul O’Grady’s For The Love Of Dogs airs hours after the presenter’s funeral
Fans of Paul O’Grady were moved to tears on Thursday when For The Love Of Dogs aired just hours after the beloved presenter’s funeral.
In the final series of the ITV show, which was filmed last year, the late Paul returned to the screens after sadly passing away suddenly last month at the age of 67.
The second episode aired Thursday, hours after the national treasure was buried in Adlington, Kent, with Paul’s husband Andre Portasio leading the mourners.
Watching the poignantly timed episode, For The Love Of Dogs viewers admitted they were reduced to tears when they saw Paul back on screen.
One person gushed on Twitter: “Sleep well, great man and thank you for your program For The Love Of Dogs. Looking with tears in your eyes, you will be so missed.’
Emotional: Fans of Paul O’Grady were moved to tears on Thursday as For The Love Of Dogs aired just hours after the beloved presenter’s funeral
Mourning: The show’s second episode aired Thursday, hours after the national treasure was buried in Adlington, Kent, with Paul’s husband Andre Portasio leading the mourners
Another said, “Just watching For the Love of Dogs…it’s very dusty in here,” while a third tweeted, “Watching #PaulOGrady For the love of dogs knowing today was his funeral.”
A fourth wrote: ‘Watching Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs makes me emotional! Paul is so missed by all of us every day!’
And a fifth commented, “Watching #PaulOGrady For the love of dogs, knowing today was his funeral.”
While a sixth said, “So hard to watch for the love of dogs, it seems so unreal that he’s gone, RIP Paul.”
Another added: “I am in tears after watching Paul O’Grady For the love of Dogs with his funeral today, your fans, your family and Andre Portasio will miss you terribly RIP Paul, I hope your friends for your worries during the Rainbow Bridge.’
Paul was widely known as a dog lover, having given a home to Chihuahua-Jack Russell cross Eddie, Shih Tzu Boycie, Maltese Conchita, mongrels Arfur and Nancy, and a Dachshund named Sausage, from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – where the series was filmed.
In his ITV documentary series, which has been running since 2012, Paul visits animals in their homes to learn more about their backgrounds.
More than £270,000 has been raised for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home since Paul’s sudden death on March 28 from a cardiac arrhythmia.
Beloved star: The final series of the much-loved ITV show, filmed last year, has seen the late Paul return to screens after he sadly passed away suddenly last month aged 67
Devastated: Watching the poignantly timed episode, For The Love Of Dogs viewers admitted they were reduced to tears when they saw Paul back on screen
Earlier on Thursday, Paul’s grief-stricken husband Andre was seen wiping away tears as he led mourners to the late comedian’s funeral.
Ronnie Wood, Alan Carr and Jo Brand were among dozens of celebrities who followed Andre as he carried Paul’s coffin through Adlington by horse and carriage while holding their beloved dog Conchita.
Hundreds of well-wishers with bouquets of flowers lined the streets to watch the procession make its way from Paul’s home in Adlington to a picturesque 12th-century church in nearby Bonnington.
The popular comedian, who rose to fame as his drag alter ego Lily Savage and whose For the Love of Dogs show was watched by millions, made his final journey flanked by a “dog guard of honor.”
A floral wreath in the shape of Paul’s late dog Buster, who died of cancer in 2009, was pictured leaning against his coffin as it made its way to the Grade II listed St Rumwold’s church.
Paul’s daughter Sharyn Mousley wore a black face covering as she walked into the service next to a young man, believed to be the comedian’s grandson, holding a Lily Savage wig.
Three volunteers from Battersea Cats & Dogs Home stood guard with a black labrador cross and a pug as the coffin was carried into the ceremony by six pallbearers.
A Salvation Army marching band played a series of songs outside, including Tomorrow from the musical Annie.
Funeral: Earlier on Thursday, Paul’s husband Andre held their dog Conchita and was seen wiping away tears as he led mourners to the late comedian’s funeral
Grief: Paul’s daughter Sharyn Mousley wore a black face covering as she walked into the service next to a man, believed to be the comedian’s grandson, holding a Lily Savage wig
Tribute: A wreath of flowers in the shape of Paul’s late dog Buster, who died of cancer in 2009, was pictured leaning against his coffin as it made its way to St Rumwold’s church
Loss: Ronnie Wood, Alan Carr and Jo Brand were among dozens of celebrities who followed the grief-stricken Andre as he carried Paul’s coffin through Adlington by horse and buggy
Respect: Hundreds of well-wishers with bouquets of flowers lined the streets to watch the procession, which traveled from Paul’s home in Adlington to a 12th-century church in Bonnington
Presenter Paul was on tour with a production of the hit show at the time of his death.
Other famous faces to say goodbye included comedian Julian Clary, Scott Mitchell, the widower of the late Dame Barbara Windsor, and a range of EastEnders actors including Scott Malsen, Cheryl Fergison and Linda Henry.
After the funeral, a private event for family and loved ones was planned at Port Lympne Safari Park, just three miles from Paul’s home and where he enjoyed judging animal competitions.
Meanwhile, some 300 miles away, hundreds of O’Grady fans gathered in his hometown of Birkenhead, Merseyside, to pay their respects.