Paul O’Grady smoked a joint in his final moments before passing away peacefully in his chair, his husband reveals at star-studded memorial for late comedian

Paul O’Grady smoked a joint moments before he died peacefully in his chair at home, his husband has revealed.

Andre Portasio says the 67-year-old was smoking a roll of cannabis when he tragically died in March this year.

The Brazilian claimed the late comedian went into the kitchen to make a ‘cup of tea’, which was their secret code for rolling gravel, Sun reports.

He then returned with the doobies before settling into a chair at their home in Kent and escaping.

Andre revealed his husband’s last moments at a memorial for the TV legend, during which he also regaled them with anecdotes about his life.

Paul O’Grady died peacefully at his home moments after setting the rock on fire, his husband Andre Portasio (pictured) has claimed

The TV legend, pictured here with a puppy for her show ‘For the Love of Dogs’, died aged 68 in March

Speaking to an audience of Paul’s close friends and colleagues, Andre revealed the TV star had a “very ordinary day” before he died

Wednesday night’s audience included some of Paul’s closest friends and colleagues, including Alan Carr, Amanda Holden and Dawn French, with observers praising the “surprisingly honest” and “very moving speech”.

Speaking about the day of Paul’s death, Andre said: “We were having a very normal day, just watching TV together at home, when Paul said he wanted to make a ‘cup of tea’, and that was our little code for rolling a spliff.

“So Paul went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea, brought it in, lit it and started smoking – and that was our last time together, the last thing we did.” He passed away there in his chair.’

Andre also told the crowd at Bloomsbury Ballroom funny stories from his life that made them laugh, while Julian Clary entertained them with a sumptuous meal at Paul’s house.

Julian joked: “I went to Paul’s for dinner and he served me pumpkin soup. After that, the evening got a little wild – and I can’t remember much of it.

‘The next day Paul called me and said: ‘How did you find the soup?’ and laughed hysterically.

‘God knows what he would put in it!’

A touching but funny memorial to the comedian was in line with how star Lily Savage has been remembered since his “unexpected but peaceful” death on March 28 this year. It was later discovered that he had died of cardiac arrhythmia.

At the time of his death Paul had just finished filming the 11th series of his ITV show For the Love of Dogs, and had finished the UK tour of Annie, The Musical in which he played Miss Hannigan.

Alan Carr and Amanda Holden (pictured) were among the guests at Paul O’Grady’s memorial service on Wednesday

At the event, people gathered to remember the comedian with a night of anecdotes and stories about his life

Andre paid tribute to Paul after his death, saying he will be “greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion”.

Speaking at the time, Andre said his husband would be “greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion”.

Born in Birkenhead on the Wirral, Merseyside, he later adopted Kent as his home for over 20 years.

At his private funeral in April, guests were treated to clips of his best-loved shows and gags, and there were giggles when the church organ went haywire during a hymn.

A private funeral for friends, family, loved ones and stars including Ronnie Wood, Alan Carr and Joe Brand was held at St Rumwold’s Church in the village of Bonnington, Kent.

The service featured a number of personal tributes to the entertainer, including a bronze statue of his beloved late dog Buster which was placed on a leopard toss.

The Salvation Army Band played songs such as Tomorrow from the musical Annie – which Paul was starring in on tour at the time of his death. Other musical selections included the theme from the British television drama series Upstairs Downstairs and Meditation from the opera Thais by French composer Jules Massenet.

The Reverend Canon Roger Martin led the service before mourners left for a vigil at Port Limp Safari Park.

The popular comedian and presenter, who shot to fame as his lovable alter-ego Lily Savage and whose TV show For the Love of Dogs was watched by millions, has embarked on his final journey accompanied by a ‘canine guard of honour’.

A wreath in the shape of O’Grady’s late dog Buster, who died of cancer in 2009, was pictured resting on his coffin as it made its way to the Grade II listed St Rumvold’s Church.

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