Last photo of Paul O’Grady while performing in Annie – three days before his death
Paul O’Grady’s last photo shows the star posing with a dog in Edinburgh, where he was performing in the stage production of Annie, three days before his death.
The latest photo taken by transvestite TV star and actor Paul O’Grady was revealed this morning as he posed with a fan outside a theater in Edinburgh where he was playing Mrs Hannigan in the musical Annie.
The actor and comedian was seen smiling warmly, dressed in a long black coat just three days ago.
In a statement released Wednesday morning, O’Grady’s partner, Andre Portasio, confirmed that he had passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully.” His cause of death was not immediately clear.
Tributes have started pouring in from a host of celebrities, headlined by Amanda Holden, Lorraine Kelly and Vernon Kay.
Posting the photo, believed to be the last taken of Paul O’Grady before his death, the fan described meeting the actor as a “pinch me moment.”
This final photo of Paul O’Grady was posted by a fan after an Annie performance in Edinburgh.
O’Grady was photographed with a Miniature Dachshund a few days before he passed away
O’Grady was playing Mrs. Hannigan in an Edinburgh stage production of Annie.
Earlier this morning, another fan added: “This photo is crazy to think this was only three days ago.”
Other recent photos of O’Grady include several of him posing with dogs, which were an important part of his life.
He was an ambassador for the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home and had himself rehomed a number of rescued dogs.
O’Grady’s partner, Mr Portasio, said early this morning: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully last night.
“We ask that, at this difficult time, that as you celebrate his life, you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who enjoyed his humor, wit, and compassion.”
I know he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.
O’Grady and Portasio tied the knot during a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017.
The cause of death for the father-of-one was not immediately revealed, however he had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and also kidney failure.
During his career, he has presented The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also presented the ITV celebrity game show Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.
O’Grady took the reins from Blind Date presenter and close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, while hosting the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.
Last year, the Queen consort joined him in a one-off special episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organization for which he was an ambassador.