30 April 2024 , 22:36
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Paul O'Grady's widower Andre Portasio revealed he was 'shocked' when Queen Camilla reached out to him after the presenter's death.
The Lily Savage star and broadcaster died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 67 in March 2023, surrounded by his beloved dogs and husband at their home in Kent. He left behind Andre and his only child Sharon. Since then, Andre vowed to carry on Paul's legacy in his honour.
Paul previously shared he had a special bond with Camilla and would always have a “great laugh” with the royal. In 2022, the pair filmed a Christmas special of For the Love of Dogs, with Camilla hosting a garden party to celebrate Battersea’s 160th anniversary. She then joined Paul at their Brands Hatch site as they sought homes for the animals.
On Tuesday morning, Andre appeared on Loose Women and told the panellists about his shock when he received the letter from her. He said: "I was shocked to receive a letter from her and, I must confess, it took me so long to reply. It's not every day that you receive a letter from the Queen!"
Paul and Queen Camilla shared a special bond (PA)Andre added: "So, I would wake up and think: 'I must reply to her letter', and I would sit down and I would be like: 'Dear Camilla...'," before he mimed crumpling up a piece of paper and throwing it away. He said: "No!" before continuing: "'Dear Queen Camilla..."' and repeated the mime.
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During the same interview, he discussed taking the dogs to say goodbye to Paul. He was inspired to do so by one woman who wrote him a letter. "I received so many letters. A lot of people didn't know the address, so you would receive the letter and it would be 'Paul O'Grady, home, Kent'.
"I opened this one letter and it was an old lady, I think she was 85, and she was very worried about the dogs, and that the dogs needed to say goodbye. And that stayed at the back of my mind, I thought I must attend to this," he said. "Just before he was buried, I took the dogs to say goodbye and it was really interesting to see that some of them engaged with Paul, but others they just swept out as if he wasn't there anymore. They're doing fabulous [now]."
Paul and Andre, who was 25 years his junior, got married in 2017 after dating for 12 years. They married at the plush Goring Hotel in Central London in a 30-minute ceremony. The TV star later admitted he had never considered marrying Andre until fellow comic Julian Clary suggested it.
Andre announced the presenter's death in a heartbreaking statement last March and wrote: "He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion. I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."