Battersea Dogs to form guard of honour for Paul O’Grady’s funeral today

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is expected to form a guard of honour at Paul O’Grady’s funeral today.

The funeral of Paul O’Grady is expected to take place on Thursday April 20th, in Aldington, Kent — the village he called home for 20 years.

As the much loved comedian is laid to rest in a private service, the Salvation Army Band is also expected to make an appearance.

The well known animal lover was made ambassador for the animal rescue charity in 2012 and re-homed five dogs while filming his multiple award-winning ITV show Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.

Following the announcement of his ‘unexpected but peaceful’ death on March 28th at the age of 67, Battersea set up a tribute fund in the national treasure’s name — raising over £270,000 for the charity.

The procession for the showbiz star — who rose to fame as the platinum wig-wearing wicked-witted drag alter-ego, Lily Savage — will carry O’Grady’s coffin through the streets of Adlington with local fans expected to gather along the streets to pay their respects and mourn the TV personality.

It comes after O’Grady’s husband, Andre Portasio, posted in local Facebook groups inviting the school and surrounding community to line the streets to mourn the him. 

He expressed his ‘deep gratitude’ for the ‘overwhelming outpouring of support and love’ he has received in the wake of O’Grady’s death.

Born in Birkenhead on the Wirral, Merseyside, O’Grady later moved to Kent, which has been his home for more than 20 years, as his husband wrote: “While the funeral will be a private ceremony, as many of you know, Paul cared a lot about his local community.

“We have therefore requested that the funeral procession passes through Aldington before heading to the church, as a way of marking Paul’s affection for the area.”

Residents are invited to stand on Roman Road, Forge Hill or New Road Hill between 2.10pm and 2.45pm on Thursday, although Mr Portasio, who married O’Grady in a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017, asked to ‘respect the villagers and the local area’.

The Salvation Army Band is expected to play during the private service on Thursday April 20th.