Paul O’Grady’s headstone – bearing one of his favourite quotes – has finally been placed at his grave site more than two years after his death.
The legendary TV presenter and Lily Savage drag performer died ‘unexpectedly’ in 2023, aged 67, after going into cardiac arrest at his home in Aldington, Kent.
O’Grady’s husband of six years, Andre Portasio, announced the news: ‘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.’
Now, more than two years after O’Grady’s death, Portasio has revealed that his husband’s grave site has finally received its headstone after a lengthy organisation process.
Via O’Grady’s Instagram, he wrote: ‘I am very pleased to share that, after two and a half years since Paul’s passing and a lengthy application process, we have finally placed the final design of his headstone at his grave.
‘My heartfelt thanks to the Commissary Court of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Parish of Bonnington, and the Church of St. Rumwold.’
Portasio also thanked members of staff at the Diocese of Canterbury for granting permission for the final design, which will feature a replica of O’Grady’s beloved dog Buster.
The headstone will also feature one of the Blankety Blank presenter’s favourite quotes: ‘The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one’s own self.’
That quote is attributed to the hugely influential French philosopher Michel de Montaigne, who lived during the 16th century and died in 1592.
Portasio concluded his statement: ‘I miss him dearly every day, but I am grateful that his resting place is now complete. I hope he would be pleased with the final design.’
Also named on the headstone is Brendan Murphy, O’Grady’s long-term partner who died 2005 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour.
In the comments, fans were delighted to see that a suitable headstone had been found, and that it featured an adorable model of Buster, who had died in 2009.
O’Grady was famously passionate about the health, safety, and welfare of animals, particularly dogs, and having Buster by his side forever brought tears to the eyes of his fans.
Actress Lisa George commented: ‘Aw Buster! He came on tour with us in 1997! Lovely headstone. Can’t believe it’s been 2 years already.’
N0thing_but_L0ve expressed a wish to see O’Grady’s headstone one day soon: ‘Beautiful. Little Buster sat there so proud. I’d love to go visit this.’
CarolaCooper25 added: ‘Can you imagine how many dogs were there waiting for him at the rainbow bridge. Ready to show him all the love he showed them. RIP Paul.’
While they were only married in 2017, O’Grady and Portasio had been together since 2006, eventually tying the knot at the Goring Hotel in Belgravia, London.
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