Tributes are pouring in for TV and radio icon Paul O'Grady after the 67-year-old's unexpected death on Tuesday.
The TV hero, radio star, and LGBTQ+ trailblazer was also known for his tireless charity work, notably with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. His kindness to animals was one of the many attributes praised by his husband Andre Portasio, when he announced the tragic news.
In a heartfelt statement, Portasio said: "He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.
In the hours since the announcement, many fans have also taken comfort from learning the comedian spent his final hours 'laughing, smiling' with friends, 'surrounded by his beloved dogs' before he passed away 'peacefully'.
Below the Mirror remembers a few of the animals whose lives were forever changed by Paul. An ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and a patron of Orangutan Appeal UK and Wildlife SOS, the star supported many animals through his adoption efforts, conservation projects, and work on the eleven-series-long ITV documentary Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs.
Reggie
Giant schnauzer Reggie stole hearts last year when he appeared on a special episode of For the Love of Dogs, which featured appearances by Queen Consort Camilla and TV star Amanda Holden.
Attending a garden party at Clarence House with his furry friend in tow, Paul introduced his four-legged companion to his famous pals while raising awareness of the difficulty of rehoming older animals.
"Battersea at the moment is full [...] and these old gentlemen we find it really hard to get homes for," Paul explained. He said they are so "loving" and "friendly" though, and one couple who obviously agreed welcomed Reggie into their home in East Sussex soon after.
Florence
To this day, many of Paul O'Grady's fans will remember the sweet rescue pup Florence whose story brought the presenter to tears.
When the adorable pug-terrier cross appeared on Paul's show, he recounted how she was run over twice and left for dead. She was found slumped in the road, covered in cuts, and unable to walk with a broken pelvis and a dislocated hip. Her eye was also damaged.
Thankfully, the harrowing story had a happy ending as the pup, who formed a close bond with the TV host, went on to find a happy new home with a family in Middlesex.
Away from work, Paul O'Grady continued to use used his platform to spotlight the work of animal shelters and charities. In this sweet snap posted to the presenter's Instagram, he shared a wonderful update about two dogs who were left for dead after being hit by a car.
As Paul explained, a caring man named Chris stopped to help the pair - who now walk with wheel aides after their legs were amputated - and nursed them back to health.
Praising the efforts, Paul wrote: "These two dogs are paraplegics after being hit by either a car or a motorbike. Chris from the UK came over as a volunteer. And years later he's still here caring for these dogs along with his team.
"Dogs are so resilient and can adapt to anything as these sets of wheels prove. They tear around the place with not a bother on them @elephantnaturepark."
Nancy
No stranger to the spotlight, Paul's beloved pet Nancy first rose to fame after she appeared on For The Love Of Dogs, where she first met Paul.
The rescue dog' s career has since gone from strength to strength after she was adopted by the presenter, who frequently gushed about the cutie on his social media.
With her big brown eyes and cheeky gaze, it is no wonder she's earned a legion of fans - some of whom previously suggested she looks just like her rescuer.
Nancy's far from the only animal Paul welcomed into his home though, as she joined a menagerie of pets at his Kent home, including five rescue dogs - Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie and Sausage - pigs, alpacas, chickens, sheep and goat.
Lakshmi
An animal lover through and through, the devoted dog owner also travelled far and wide to support conservation work.
But in the TV show For The Love Of Animals: India, Paul dealt with much bigger cats and dogs than usual, as he met a rather cranky clouded leopard with an injured paw.
During his visits to animal sanctuaries in the north of India, he also helped to help look after baby macaque monkeys and Lakshmi, an overweight elephant who needed to lose 100st to get to her target weight of 550st.
