Tributes have been pouring in for Paul O’Grady, the animal lover, TV star and comedian who died on Tuesday night aged 67, with the #PawsForPaul trend beginning on Twitter.
O’Grady passed away "unexpectedly but calmly," according to his husband Andre Portasio.
Mr Portasio said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“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.”
Now, fans are paying tribute by sharing photos of their pets on Twitter with the hashtag “Paws for Paul.”
O'Grady had such a deep love for animals that he once remarked that if he had to choose between having more sex and having more money, he would chose a mongoose. Four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens, barn owls, and other animals lived with him and Portasio in their farmhouse in Kent.
To commemorate Battersea Dogs & Cats Home's 160th anniversary last summer, he and Camilla, the Queen Consort, hosted a special episode of his ITV programme For the Love of Dogs.
Following his death, Battersea paid tribute to O’Grady as a “devoted animal lover” and a “champion for the underdog.”
#PawsForPaul
Among the #PawsForPaul Twitter tributes to the late star was: “So many humans and dogs feel like they lost a good friend today. Thank you, #paulogrady for all you did for #adoptdontshop. We will miss you very much #PawsForPaul.”
So many humans and dogs feel like they lost a good friend today. Thank you, #paulogrady for all you did for #adoptdontshop. We will miss you very much #PawsForPaul pic.twitter.com/U2jf5GwUPF
— Matthew (@Matthew43297558) March 29, 2023
Another person tweeted: “Here are my paws for Paul who was a wonderful kind and funny man who will be sorely missed. RIP dear friend.#PawsForPaul”
Here are my paws for Paul who was a wonderful kind and funny man who will be sorely missed. RIP dear friend.#PawsForPaul pic.twitter.com/vtUBfvaRL1
— maureen elis (@maureenelis) March 29, 2023
More tweets have been coming through: “A kind and loving soul who did so much for both animals and humans #PawsForPaul.”
A kind and loving soul who did so much for both animals and humans ❤️🖤#PawsForPaul pic.twitter.com/cYi5vSYOsG
— Wizard Custard✨⚡️🪄🪄 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@CustardPanfur) March 30, 2023
Paw in for a beautiful soul Mr Paul O'Grady 💔 this world would be a better place if everyone had the same love and compassion in their hearts especially for animals that Paul did ❤️ 💙 he was a Legend 💓 #PawsForPaul 🐈⬛🐾😢💔 pic.twitter.com/gaHOZGLbZi
— Little Jet 🐱🐾🐾 (@Eleanor14943493) March 29, 2023
Remembering the wonderful #PaulOGrady who did so much for all animals with our #PawsForPaul ♥️ pic.twitter.com/uArn2EdB9f
— Olive & Jim Black Labs (@olive_blacklab) March 29, 2023
#PawsForPaul miss you on the radio as I cook Sunday roast , gone but never forgotten . Rip to one of life’s best . Your work can never be undone x pic.twitter.com/ThGZHK1e1p
— Allyson Clancy (@clancy_allyson) March 29, 2023
#PawsForPaul here are my little Alfie paws for the wonderful Paul Ogrady! Overwhelming reading all the messages for him. If there was anyone I would have loved to meet it would have been him. His love for animals was so deep. That's part of why we loved him so much. pic.twitter.com/5iyeuKDXFt
— Alison Cowell (@tillytot41) March 30, 2023
