Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Andre Portasio, Paul O’Grady’s widower, has paid a sweet tribute to what would have been his late husband’s 68th birthday.
The beloved presenter, who was also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on 28 March.
On Wednesday (14 June), Portasio shared a snap of O’Grady on a previous birthday, smiling and holding up a birthday cake.
A second photo showed the couple with Portasio’s arm around O’Grady as they beamed and posed against a beach sunset.
The professional dancer wrote: “Happy heavenly birthday. Myself and the dogs miss you lots and we can only wish you were here with us. Love you always @paulogrady.”
Portasio received an outpouring of support from fans who commented on his post, including from former Eastenders star Cheryl Ferguson, who sent “hugs for you and the pooches”.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has also remembered their late ambassador on his birthday and celebrated him on Twitter.
The animal charity’s account posted a sweet photograph of O’Grady laying on the floor with a large white German Shepherd next to him.
It wrote: “Paul was a love of animals, an LGBT icon and a dear friend of Battersea. Paul will be remembered as a hero to us and to rescue animals everywhere.”
Announcing O’Grady’s death in March, Portasio said in a statement that the late host of the multi-award-winning ITV series For The Love Of Dogs would 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,” he said.
The couple were married in 2017. Together, they adopted and rehomed a number of dogs that O’Grady brought home from Battersea.
Queen Camilla also paid tribute to O’Grady following his death, as the pair worked closely together in their support of Battersea.
A statement posted by Buckingham Palace read: “Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O’Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of Battersea, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories.”
O’Grady’s funeral took place in his adopted hometown in Kent on 20 April, with hundreds of mourners and their pets lining the streets to bid him a final farewell.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments