Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio reveals Queen Camilla reached out to him after the presenter’s death: ‘I must confess, it took me so long to reply’
Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio revealed on Loose Women on Tuesday that Queen Camilla contacted him after Paul’s death.
Comedian and presenter Paul died in March 2023 from cardiac arrhythmias at the age of 67, leaving behind Andre and his only child Sharon.
Paul was a good friend of Camilla and she appeared in a special episode of Paul’s documentary series For The Love Of Dogs.
Andre told the panel: “I was shocked when I received a letter from her and I must admit it took me so long to respond.
The Brazilian made the audience even more amused: “It’s not every day that you receive the letter from the Queen!”
Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio revealed on Loose Women on Tuesday that Queen Camilla contacted him after Paul’s death
Comedian and presenter Paul died in March 2023 aged 67 from cardiac arrhythmia (pictured with Camilla in 2012)
Andre told the panel: ‘I was shocked when I received a letter from her and I must admit it took me so long to reply’
He continued: ‘So I woke up and thought, “I have to answer her letter”, and I sat down and said, “Dear Camilla…”‘
Andre pretended to crumple up a piece of paper and said “No!” before continuing: ‘”Dear Queen Camilla…”‘ and repeating the action and exclamation.
It comes after Andre revealed he plans to donate dresses belonging to Paul’s drag alter ego Lily Savage.
Andre, who married Paul in 2007, admitted that Lily’s wigs and assets “don’t belong to him,” and instead “belong to the nation.”
Paul, who was a social worker in Birkenhead before moving to London, started his glitzy showbiz career as a drag entertainer in the 1980s.
He toured local pubs and clubs across the UK as the iconic Lily Savage.
Speak with The mirror about his heartbreak and keeping his late husband’s legacy alive, Andre said he always told the TV personality that Lily costumes were a “piece of history.”
But in typical Paul’s modest fashion, he brushed it off, saying the prized possessions were just ‘tat’.
Revealing that he has an attic full of memorabilia, Andre told the publication: “I think by the end he was very tired of having to put on all the make-up and all the practicalities of becoming Lily, even though he never fully has retired. and she kept making comebacks.”
When Paul was still alive, his partner persuaded him to donate some items to the V&A, but there are many more items that he sets aside.
‘They are not mine, they belong to the nation. I feel like the general public would absolutely love to see them again, and it weighs very heavily on me how I carry on his legacy.”
Andre also admitted that the country’s reaction to the TV star’s first birthday humbled him, as they gave him an overwhelming amount of support through cards and miniature dog teddy bears.
It came just days after fans admitted they ‘couldn’t watch’ The Life and Death of Lily Savage, as ITV marked the first anniversary of Paul’s tragic death.
The Brazilian made the audience even more amused: “It’s not every day that you receive the letter from the Queen!”
Paul was a good friend of Camilla and she appeared in a special episode of Paul’s documentary series For The Love Of Dogs
It comes after Andre revealed he plans to donate dresses belonging to Paul’s drag alter ego Lily Savage (pictured)
Andre, who married Paul in 2007, admitted that Lily’s wigs and assets ‘don’t belong to him’, and instead ‘belong to the nation’ (Pictured: Andre and Paul in 2019)