Paul O’Grady’s heartbreaking latest Instagram post reveals he was devastated by the loss of his pet pig Tom Tom.
TV star Paul died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday night, his partner said, aged 67.
And just two weeks before her passing, the former Lily Savage star was mourning her own loss after returning from her theater tour to discover the pig had been euthanized.
Alongside a video of his pet pig in the barnyard, Paul was overheard asking: “What’s up?” put to sleep.
I knew she was coming because she was diagnosed with a tumor, but it’s still horrible when you lose a pet. He was the cheekiest of the gang and one of the other pigs who was obviously very fond of him now he is depressed and in mourning and some say animals don’t have feelings.
The latest: Paul O’Grady’s heartbreaking latest Instagram post reveals he was devastated by the loss of his pet pig, Tom Tom, weeks before he passed away.
Sad: Just two weeks before her passing, the former Lily Savage star was mourning her own loss after returning from her theater tour to find the pig had been euthanized
“On a lighter note, I am really enjoying playing Hannigan again after so long, especially with a really amazing and charming cast. Next stop Edinburgh.
Since then, the post has been inundated with messages of sadness and condolences from fans who woke up Wednesday morning to find the star had died.
It comes after Andre Portasio, who married O’Grady in 2017, paid tribute to Paul’s “humour, wit and compassion” in a statement announcing his death posted just before 3 a.m.
O’Grady became a household name in the early 2000s, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a number of television shows, including his eponymous daytime chat show, The Paul O’Grady Show, which began airing in 2004.
He also took the reins from longtime host of Blind Date and close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, to present the show’s 2017 reboot on Channel 5 Por El Amor De Los Perros.
The cause of death of the father-of-one was not immediately known, but he had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and also kidney failure. He, too, had a debilitating battle with covid that left him unable to work for two months.
Mr Portasio said early Wednesday 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.
Shock: TV star Paul died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on Tuesday night, his partner said, aged just 67.
Devastated: Alongside a video of his pet pig in the barnyard, Paul heard asking: ‘What’s wrong?’, Paul revealed the ‘terrible’ news that his pig Tom Tom had died.
Loss: ‘I knew she was coming because she had been diagnosed with a tumor, but it’s still horrible when you lose a pet. He was the cheekiest of the gang’
Man’s Best Friends: Paul O’Grady was a famous dog lover, but he treasured all the animals as much as the people in his life.
“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.
Tributes also started pouring in overnight from his showbiz friends. Carol Vorderman tweeted: ‘Paul O’Grady. Already giving them shrilly, tearing up the rule book, making mischief, calling it out, loving hell in heaven.
Paul, what are we supposed to do without you?
Lorraine Kelly spoke of her grief over ‘such sad news’, adding: ‘Paul O’Grady – funny, fearless, brave, kind and wise. He will be greatly missed. A really special man.
Responding to another Twitter user, he added: “I always think dogs are the best judges of character and they LOVED it.”
X Factor’s Joe McElderry was also among the first to react to the shocking news.
‘I was standing in Paul O’Grady’s dressing room less than 3 weeks ago! He was full of life chatting and being as wonderful as ever! Too sad! And what a loss! A true entertainer of show business! May he rest in peace,’ McElderry tweeted.
Loss: Paul O’Grady’s death was announced by his partner Andre Portasio, whom he married in 2017 (the couple shown here at the Royal Opera House in London in 2018)
Gone – This is believed to be the last photo taken of Paul O’Grady, at the Edinburgh Playhouse on Saturday 25th March. He is pictured with a dog named Frankie who appears in theater shows.
Actor John Barrowman said he was “shocked and saddened” to hear the news of O’Grady’s death.
Sharing two photos of the TV star on Twitter, he wrote: “I am totally shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news that Paul O’Grady has died.” An incredible talent that spans decades.
“From watching him as Lily Savage at Vauxhall Tavern to sitting with him laughing backstage at West End Bars to being a guest on his @ITV Paul O’Grady show…”
Vernon Kay said it was “always a pleasure to be around Paul O’Grady” and described the host as “one of the best” in an online tribute.
“Paul O’Grady was one of the nicest and kindest people I’ve ever met,” she tweeted.
Always a pleasure to be around and obviously a lot of fun. He will be missed. Telly and his friends have lost one of the best… RIP.
Danny Beard, winner of the fourth series of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, said that Paul O’Grady was “the most important person in British drag culture”.
“I don’t think there’s anyone doing the work that I do who doesn’t classify Paul as an icon,” Beard told BBC Breakfast.
‘Paul was a pioneer, they were on TV right after the AIDS crisis.
“They have been the most important person, I think, in British culture for drag, for the queer community.
“This is a really sad loss today…now a huge hole is missing.”
And human rights activist Peter Tatchell said: “Paul was not just a brilliant comedian and TV personality, but a much-admired activist for LGBT+ equality and animal rights.”
‘He supported my work for many decades and was a valued patron of the Peter Tatchell Foundation.
Alter-ego: Comedian and television personality first rose to fame as her drag queen persona, Lily Savage, in the 1980s and 1990s, before hosting a series of television shows.
Star: Paul was pictured last week when it was announced that he was planning to take his radio show to Boom Radio after leaving the BBC.
Paul was planning to lead our next campaign to make the police apologize for their historic persecution of the LGBT+ community. We will miss you. Our sincere condolences to his partner Andre and to all who loved him.
‘Paul was one of the loveliest people you could meet. He will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched, as will those who enjoyed his wit and admired his compassion.’
O’Grady had previously spoken about struggling to regain health after a heart problem, usually making light of his brushes with death.
“Three days after my last heart attack, I ate fire again with McFly,” he said.
“The heart is a muscle, so you have two options, sit on the couch and count your tablets all day, or go ahead and get moving: swimming and walking, light exercise.”