TELLY favorite Paul O’Grady died smoking a spliff, his husband has revealed.
Andre Portasio told a celebrity-packed memorial that Paul, 67, died peacefully in March while sharing a cannabis joint at his home in Kent.
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Paul O’Grady died smoking a spliff, his husband revealed at a memorial service for the late starCredit: ITV
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Paul’s husband said the beloved comedian was sitting in a chair watching TV when he died Credit: Rex
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Andre Portasio told a celebrity-studded memorial service that Paul had passed away peacefullyCredit: Instagram
Paul O’Grady’s husband has told how the TV star popped into the kitchen to make “a cup of tea” the night he died – their special code for rolling the credits.
The 67-year-old returned to the living room to smoke a cannabis joint with his long-term partner before he passed out in his chair.
Andre revealed their touching final hours together at an emotional event on Wednesday night, where celebrities including Alan Carr, Amanda Holden and Dawn French gathered to remember their beloved friend.
The Brazilian also told a number of anecdotes – some outrageous – as guests laughed gently at Paul, who died in March at home in Kent.
Read more about Paul O’Grady
Andre, who married star Lily Savage in 2017, said: “We were having a very normal day, just watching TV at home together, when Paul said he wanted to make a ‘cup of tea’, and that was our little code to roll spliff.
“So Paul went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea, brought it in, lit it and started smoking – and that was our last time together, the last thing we did. He died there in his chair.”
It was the first time some of Paul’s friends had heard details of the final hours of the star, who died after a grueling seven-month work schedule.
Andre also recalled Paul’s hatred of cheap hotels during filming – joking that he would regularly decry the poor accommodation TV producers would book for him while on the road.
An observer at the event, held at London’s Bloomsbury Ballroom, said: “It was a very moving speech, with fond memories and stories – and everyone had a lot of laughs – but it was also surprisingly honest. It was just Andre’s way of dealing with grief and getting things off his chest.”
Comedian friend Julian Clary was among the other speakers at the rally — and jokingly recalled the crazy meal at the star’s house.
He said: “I went to Paul’s place for dinner and he served me pumpkin soup. After that, the evening got a little wild – and I can’t remember much.
“The next day Paul called me and said, ‘How did you find the soup?’ and laughed hysterically.
“God knows what he would put in it!”
Around 320 guests, including Sheila Hancock, Gaby Roslin and Helen Worth, were at the event – and the memorial program dedicated to the animal lover had a dog’s paw print on the front.
Former social worker Paul rose to fame as actress Lily Savage before hosting a series of radio and TV shows as himself, becoming one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers.
In the months before he died, he took on as much work as possible after quitting his BBC Radio 2 show in protest against another presenter sharing his programme.
Three days before his death he finished a UK tour playing Miss Hannigan in Annie, The Musical.
Last year, Paul also made the 11th series of his ITV show For the Love of Dogs and was completing an undercover documentary about elephants in Laos before he passed away.
A TV insider said at the time: “Paul threw himself into a job that would have overwhelmed a man half his age, but he liked regular work to keep him busy.”
The source added that “despite his advanced age and impaired health” he was busier than ever, “perhaps feeling that everything could come to an end at any moment”.
They continued: “Losing the show on Radio 2 was a huge shock for Paul as he loved it so much.
“He felt the need to fill a void at a time when he probably should have been relaxed.”
Paul was close friends with many of the celebrities he met during his more than four decades in showbiz.
He also had a daughter Sharon, whom he had with his friend Diane Jansen when he was only 18 years old, as well as two grandchildren.
Andre said at the time of his death that he “died unexpectedly but peacefully”.
He added: “He will be sorely missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.”
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Andre described his moving final hours with Paul at an emotional memorial event Credits: Rex
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Guests included TV stars Alan Carr and Amanda HoldenCredit: w8media
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Actress Sheila Hancock also attended the memorial Credit: Click News and Media
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Comedian Dawn French was snapped heading to the eventCredit: w8media
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Corrie star Helen Worth pictured arriving at the eventCredit: w8media
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Telly host Gaby Roslin also attended. Credit: w8media
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Guests were shown clips and photos from Paul’s life, including this one with King Charles. Credit: Rex
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Andre said Paul ‘passed away unexpectedly but peacefully’ Credit: Rex
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