Paul O’Grady’s widower shares heartbreaking closing video of star taken simply 20 minutes earlier than he died

Paul O’Grady’s widow has shared a heartbreaking final video of the star taken just 20 minutes before his death.

The much-loved TV icon thanked his fans for their support just 20 minutes before he died.

Paul passed away on March 28 2023 after suffering sudden cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 67, and now his widower André Portasio has shared a video message on the second anniversary of his death in which Paul spoke out about his book ‘Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang’, after he had received an award for it.

Speaking in the video posted to Instagram on Friday, Paul said: ‘Hello everybody, I’m Paul O’Grady and I just want to say a massive thank you for reading my book, and also for voting for it. I’m absolutely delighted with my award so thank you very much.’

The former drag queen – who shot to fame as his alter-ego of Lily Savage in the 1980s – was also known for his love of animals, and cuddled up with his corgi.

‘And by the way, this is Eddie, this is my dog. Aren’t you? You’re famous. And Butch in the book is based on this little one. You’re being very quiet today aren’t you? Anyway, once again, thank you so much. 

‘I really appreciate it. Look after yourselves.’

In the caption of the post, Andre – who married the For the Love of Dogs star in 2017 – admitted that it is sometimes ‘hard to believe’ two years have passed since his husband died, and was remembered him as a ‘genuinely kind man’ who cared about his fans.

He wrote: ‘It’s incredible how our minds can shield us from the pain of loss in moments of shock. Today, my iPhotos reminded me of a lost video I recorded of Paul just 20 minutes before he sadly passed—what became the last recording he ever made to camera.

‘In this bittersweet moment, you see him as the genuinely kind man he was, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone for supporting his book, which he recorded for an award ceremony he couldn’t attend.

‘It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since his passing. All the while, he’s surrounded by his beloved dogs. We miss you dearly, @paulogrady . Happy heavenly birthday!’

Several of Paul’s friends and fellow celebrities had noticed the post and took to the comments section to pay tribute.

Presenter Gaby Roslin described the clip as ‘special and precious’, whilst ‘EastEnders’ icon Michelle Collins felt “sad” at the realisation of just how “fragile” life can be.

She said: ‘This is unbelievable, so sad makes you realise what a wonderful person he was life can be so fragile we have to really embrace it like paul did , such a loss wish there were more like him x’.

Last year, it was revealed that Paul’s beloved five dogs would each receive £25,000 from his will and be looked after by his agent – with a friend saying the comedian left them a share of his £15million fortune to ensure they get ‘the best love and care’.

The popular presenter set aside £125,000 for his cherished pets Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie and Sausage – and wrote specific instructions for them.

The animals are being looked after by his agent Joan Marshrons, as details of his will revealed.

His will showed he was also leaving £775,000 to charities close to his heart.

A friend said: ‘This is typical of Paul as he put his month where his mouth was by leaving cash to charities that had special meaning to him.

‘And though £125,000 seems like a lot of money to spend on his dogs, they also meant to the world to him and he wanted to ensure they always receive the best love and care.’

Paul wrote in his will: ‘The legacy shall mean £25,000 in respect of each animal.

‘I direct that Joan shall take over the responsibility of each animal….to use each legacy for the upkeep and maintenance of each Animal until its death.’

He granted £500,000 of his wealth to Battersea Dogs Home, which featured in his popular ITV programme For the Love of Dogs.

He also left more than £50,000 to the Salvation Army, having been a lifelong fan of the organisation he featured in his 2016 TV show The Sally Army and Me with Paul O’Grady.

The animal lover also gave £50,000 donations to elephant and orangutan charities.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home announced in October last year that it had named its building after O’Grady following his decade-long work with the veterinary hospital.

After being left £500,000 in O’Grady’s will, the charity’s chief executive Peter Laurie said Battersea would ‘forever be indebted to Paul for all that he did’.

He also vowed to carry on O’Grady’s legacy in helping dogs and ‘going the extra mile’.

The comedian gave a total of £100,000 to be divided between two foreign wildlife organisations – the Indian Wildlife Trust, called Wildlife SOS, and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Borneo.

The rest of Paul’s estate is expected to be divided between his widower Andre, his daughter Sharon Mousley and his sister Sheila Rudd. 

The will, written in 2017, will also see nine other recipients including O’Grady’s godchildren Milo and Otis Sainsbury.

Paul’s admiration for the Salvation Army came after seeing it help people in need in his native Liverpool when he was growing up.

He once said in an interview: ‘They saved kids near my street when I was a boy with food kitchens, helped me when I was a care worker and supported people I know over the years.’

The comedian also featured the charity in his show called The Sally Army and Me, where he worked as a volunteer alongside Major Jo Moir.

She said the charity was ‘so grateful’ for O’Grady’s donation and that his support had gone a long way over the years.

She added that the gift left to the Salvation Army in his will ‘will help to change lives for good’.

The figure of £15.5million left in O’Grady’s will is more than double what was predicted shortly after his death last March 28 as a result of cardiac arrhythmia.

He was said to have been smoking a cannabis joint when he died peacefully at his home.

After his death, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home set up a tribute fund in O’Grady’s name and donations soared past £150,000 within a few weeks.

The charity said back then that Paul, who was an ambassador for them, will ‘always be associated’ with Battersea.

In a statement, they said: ‘Battersea joins the nation in mourning the loss of Paul O’Grady – an entertainment legend and much-loved Ambassador to our charity.

‘We’d like to extend our deepest sympathies to Paul’s family and friends. To millions Paul O’Grady is the popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth.

‘Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell in love with every dog he met at our centres.

‘Paul will always be associated with Battersea, and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.

‘Paul loved Battersea so much and we cannot thank him enough for everything he did for our charity and for rescue animals worldwide.

‘We will forever be indebted to him for his endless generosity and support.’