Paul O'Grady's final Instagram post before his death showed his love of animals until the end.
The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died "unexpectedly but peacefully", according to his husband Andre Portasio. In a statement Mr Portasio said: "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.
READ MORE: Paul O'Grady has died at the age of 67
"I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."
The 67-year-old's last Instagram post said how Paul had rushed home from performing in musical Annie to the news one of his beloved pigs, Tom Tom, had been put to sleep.
He said: "Got back from a week in Newcastle playing Miss Hannigan in Annie to find that Tom Tom, one of my pigs had been put to sleep. I knew it was coming as he’d been diagnosed with a tumour but even so it’s awful when you lose a pet.
"He was the cheekiest of the gang and one of the other pigs who was obviously very fond of him is now depressed and gone into mourning and there’s those who say that animals don’t have feelings. On a lighter note I’m thoroughly enjoying playing Hannigan again after so long especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast. Next stop Edinburgh."
Most recently, Paul O'Grady has been travelling up and down the country to play Miss Hannigan in the touring stage version of Annie. Throughout his career, he hosted The Paul O'Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV's multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line Up.
He also took over the reins from Blind Date's long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017. Last year the animal lover was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador.
Paul lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Andre along with a menagerie of animals including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls.
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