Paul O’ Grady died 'smoking a spliff' as husband reveals secret 'code word' for it

Paul O’Grady’s husband said he had ‘smoked a spliff’ shortly before he passed away at home.

The beloved presenter and comedian died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ at his home in Kent back in March.

Confirming the sad news, his husband Andre Portasio said: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.

"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."

At a packed memorial for the 67-year-old on Wednesday (18 October), Portasio shared details about his husband’s final moments, and revealed that the couple had a ‘code’ for when they wanted to smoke a joint.

ITV

According to the Sun, Portasio said: “We’d had a very ordinary day, just watching TV together at home, when Paul said he wanted to make a ‘cup of tea,’ and that was our ­little code for rolling a spliff.

“So Paul went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea, brought it back, lit it and started smoking it – and that was our last time together, the last thing we did. He passed away there in his chair.”

Portasio went on to share funny anecdotes about their life together to the audience, which included many of Paul’s celebrity pals including Alan Carr, Amanda Holden and Dawn French.

An onlooker told the Sun: “It was a very moving speech, with some lovely memories and stories – and everyone laughed a lot – but it was also surprisingly ­candid. It was just Andre’s way of dealing with grief and getting things off his chest.”

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Comedian Julian Clary also spoke at the event, which was held at Bloomsbury Ballroom, sharing funny tales from their friendship.

He joked: “I went over to Paul's for dinner, and he served me pumpkin soup. After that, the ­evening got a bit a wild - and I can't remember very much.

“The next day, Paul called me and said, 'How did you find the soup?' and laughed hysterically.

“God knows what he'd put in it!”

The much loved TV personality had a lengthy career - first finding fame as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage, the animal-loving star went on to star in Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs, which was watched by millions.

LADbible has reached out to representatives of Andre Portasio for comment.

Topics: Paul O'Grady, UK News, TV and Film, Celebrity

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]