Paul O’Grady’s best friend reveals late star’s dying wish
As fans and friends continue to mourn the loss of TV legend Paul O'Grady, one of his best friends has revealed what his dying wish was - and it's so perfectly him.
The comedian and TV host, who was known for shows like Blankety Blank, Blind Date, and The Paul O'Grady Show, and for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, passed away aged 67 earlier this week.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, 29 March, his partner Andrew Portasio said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
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"He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion."
Ahead of his funeral, one of Paul's best pals, actress Amanda Mealing, revealed what his dying wish was.
“Whatever happens, Paul’s funeral will be a celebration of his life and it will be full of laughter," the Holby City star told The Mirror.
“He just told us to have a good time - he’d hate it if everyone was mawkish and morose. He would just say: ‘I don’t care, I won’t be here! Do whatever you want’.”
Andrea also revealed that there have been talks of holding two separate funerals for Paul - a small private one for close relatives and loved ones, and a big, open one for those outside of his family.
"Then everyone can come to that and it gives people a chance to fly in. There are ongoing conversations," she revealed.
Andrea also recalled the devastating moment she found out about Paul's passing, after getting a text message from Paul's partner Andre in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"I was just numb. I just couldn’t comprehend what the text had said," she shared.
“I just couldn’t understand it. As soon as I got myself together I went down to the house.
“Over the last few days, we’ve started conversations crying and end up laughing with tears just remembering ridiculous stories!"
Although the actress said she was heartbroken for herself, she insisted that she isn't heartbroken in the slightest for her best friend because he lived a full, rich life.
"He absolutely rinsed his life," she raved.
"He got absolutely everything he could out of it and that is wonderful. He lived 67 lives with the adventures he created in his life and the things he did and the places he would go.
"He did everything he could and he never had regrets. He said: 'What’s the point? It’s done now. There’s no point regretting anything.'"
Paul O'Grady will certainly be missed by us all.
Topics: Celebrity, Paul O'Grady
Ali Condon