PAUL O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio has revealed he was left so grief-stricken he couldn't leave the house for three months after the presenter's death.
The TV legend, 67, passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" on March 28 after a sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
The couple started their relationship in 2006, before marrying in the summer of 2017.
Now, Andre has told how he struggled to cope without Paul in the months after his sudden death.
In a heartbreaking interview, Andre told the Daily Star: "I am trying to take it day by day and cope with it. At the moment I am coping.
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“It was such a shock for me to lose him. It was a shock to all of us. It was so unexpected. I am still digesting it all.”
It comes after Andre collected a prize on behalf of Paul at the British LGBT Awards on Friday.
The ballet dancer said it was the first time he'd been able to leave the house since losing his "trailblazer" husband.
He added: "I have kept myself to myself since Paul died. This is the first day that I actually left home.
“I spent 17 years with Paul and I know the wonderful person that he was.
"But it wasn’t until his death that I realised how much he affected, inspired and touched people."
Andre said he has been touched by the loving tributes paid by friends, family and fans after Paul's tragic death.
Paul suffered heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and his parents both died of heart issues.
His funeral took place on April 20 with a private service at St Rumwold's Parish Church in Bonnington.
The star was then laid to rest next to the grave of his partner Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005.
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Paul is a huge TV legend who has starred in a number of programmes including Blankety Blank, The Paul O'Grady Show and Paul O'Grady Live.
Another fan favourite is For The Love of Dogs.
Last month The Sun revealed Amanda Holden, who is also an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, is set to replace Paul as presenter.
