Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio has spoken out about the heartbreaking moment the comedian died at their home last year.
The beloved comedian died on March 28, 2023 at the age of 67 from a sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
Andre has traveled to New Zealand in recent days because he couldn’t bear to be home for the one-year anniversary of Paul’s death.
Speak with The mirrorAndre talked about how there was nothing special that day and that the comedian was in a good mood in the morning.
At one point, Paul went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea and Andre heard a loud bang.
Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio has spoken out about the heartbreaking moment the comedian died at their home last year
Andre has traveled to New Zealand in recent days because he couldn’t bear to be home for the one-year anniversary of Paul’s death (pictured together in 2018)
Since the couple lived in an old, noisy house, Andre initially didn’t think about it and thought that Paul had probably stepped into the nearby cottage that they were renovating.
Andre said, “I walked into the kitchen to prepare some food, and I started taking things out of the refrigerator. And suddenly I saw him lying on the ground.
‘I didn’t know what to think at first. He had a cut on his forehead and I thought he was probably just unconscious. “I called the ambulance and they said CPR was the best chance to keep him alive.”
Andre desperately tried to save his husband’s life and said he was ‘exhausted’ when the ambulance arrived.
The paramedics spent an hour resuscitating Paul and at one point told Andre that he was breathing. However, it was short-lived and they pronounced him dead shortly afterwards.
Recalling the heartbreaking moment, Andre said: ‘Somehow Paul’s dog Arfur, one of his favorites, got away and nuzzled his face like he used to do against Paul’s shoulder, as if to say ‘wake up’. It was just heartbreaking.”
Andre found Paul’s birthday in June very difficult and also had a hard time at Christmas, canceling a planned meal with Paul’s family and spending the day alone.
One thing that helped him cope was the “outpouring of love” for Paul, as people continued to come to the house with flowers and cards.
Andre said, “I walked into the kitchen to prepare some food, and I started taking things out of the refrigerator. And suddenly I saw him lying on the ground’
The paramedics spent an hour resuscitating Paul and at one point told Andre that he was breathing. However, it was short-lived and they pronounced him dead shortly afterwards
Andre also received many messages from people across the UK, including Queen Camilla who worked with Paul at the Battersea Dogs and Cats home.
Several of Paul’s famous friends have also lent their support, including Julian Clary, Ian McKellen, Ronnie Wood’s wife Sally and Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell.
Fellow comedian Julian paid tribute to Paul during an appearance on The One Show on Monday evening.
The star joined hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas to talk about the new long documentary about Paul, The life and death of Lily Savage.
The old friends lived close to each other in Kent and were regularly seen in the local pub, enjoying a cider or even Moet et Chandon.
Andre received many messages from people all over the UK including Queen Camilla who worked with Paul at the Battersea Dogs and Cats home
Paul’s friend Julian Clary recently said he was ‘full of natural kindness and random generosity’ (pictured together in 2017)
Julian revealed that Paul gifted him a vintage Rayburn oven from the 1920s to heat his house when he first moved in.
Of his much-missed friend, Julian said: “He was full of natural kindness and random generosity. In addition to the major charities, he always helped people. It was because of the values he grew up with, I think.
‘And he was very kind to me too, not that I was an underdog, but when I moved in with him he came over with a basket full of eco-friendly cleaning products and a shepherd’s pie.
“And it was very cold in the house, the next day a truck arrived with a vintage Rayburn oven from the 1920s on it. It made the whole house warm.’
Earlier this month it was revealed that Paul has left an astonishing £775,000 of his £15.5 million fortune to charities close to his heart.
The star donated £500,000 of his fortune to Battersea Dogs Home, which featured on his hit ITV show For the Love of Dogs.
He also left more than £50,000 to the Salvation Army, of whom he was a lifelong fan, and he featured them on his TV show The Sally Army and Me with Paul O’Grady in 2016.
Paul also set aside £125,000 to care for his dogs – Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie and Sausage – with specific instructions for them written out in his will.
The animal lover also made generous donations of £50,000 to elephant and orangutan charities.