Paul O'Grady died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on Tuesday evening aged 67, his husband announced.
After the news broke of the beloved entertainer's death, tributes have poured in from friends and fans throughout the day. The animal enthusiast, who was famed for his drag persona Lily Savage, faced many near death illnesses throughout his life as he suffered two cardiac arrests and kidney failure.
Paul spoke openly that heart disease ran in his family, previously revealing that both his mother and father suffered heart attacks within one week of each other. Sadly, his father's heart attack at that time proved to be fatal and his mum later died of the same illness, reports the Mirror.
The Cheshire-born star also struggled with cigarette addiction and once joked that he had two great loves in this world, "Benson and Hedges". Paul was just 47 when he suffered his first heart attack in 2002, and had his second in 2006.
After the first incident the iconic presenter decided to live a healthier lifestyle, starting the day with a swim and taking long country walks near his home in Aldington. Following his second and more serious heart attack, Paul underwent surgery to clear a blocked artery and was placed on blood thinning medication.
He told The Mirror at the time: "I'm like a broken toy - I'm f****d. I think I should really just be taken out and shot. It's fair to say I'm not at my best. I've had so many blood tests I've got the arms of a junkie. You wouldn't even recognise me.
"I go through days of feeling very tired. The tablets make me cough a lot and my blood's so thin that if I bang myself on the sofa I get a great big bruise. I'm a bloody wreck."
The TV host added: "The doctor said I'd put a lot of pressure on my heart with a trauma like that and that it's not uncommon for something to happen a year later."
Paul said he knew that smoking was a contributing factor to his illness, but said there were other issues at play. He added: "I've always said I have two great loves, Benson and Hedges, so it's not been easy quitting. But while smoking hasn't helped, I think my heart problems are congenital. Mum and dad died from it.
"You've no idea how much I've looked after myself - gym, swimming, long walks, soya milk... to think I've deprived myself of Jersey full-fat milk for all this time."
At first, Paul was unaware that he had suffered an attack. For four days he carried on doing strenuous housework at his 200-acre farm, including lifting heavy furniture, until he finally went to hospital.
Despite trying to ignore his symptoms, eventually Paul realised he had to go to the hospital. He revealed: "I felt ill at the start of the week, the Monday or Tuesday, like I had a nasty hangover. But I just got on with things. I was even moving furniture around, making ice cream, the lot.
"By Friday I had chest pains - real, shocking pains. I knew something was seriously wrong and got someone to take me to hospital. There was no panic, no ambulances, but I knew something was wrong.
"It was only when they did tests that I found out it was a heart attack. They could tell from the damage that I'd had it almost all week."
Announcing the tragic news of Paul's death in a statement, husband Andre 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. I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years."
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