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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Magdalene Dalziel & Zoe Delaney

Paul O'Grady laid to rest next to former partner who died in tragic circumstances

It's being reported that Paul O'Grady was laid to rest beside his former partner Brendan Murphy.

The TV icon passed away last month aged 67 and a private funeral was held yesterday which was attended by his friends, family and pals from across the showbiz world. Paul was also given the ultimate guard of honour by his beloved dogs of Battersea as the procession arrived carrying his coffin in the Kent village he made his home.

Paul's devastated husband Andre Portasio could be seen looking emotional as he held on to Paul's beloved pooch Conchita as the dancer made his way to the church service on a horse drawn carriage carrying Paul's coffin. It was Andre who had invited the local community, who Paul loved so dearly, to come out and pay their respects as he was taken on his final journey to the church.

Today, it's being reported by the Mirror that Paul has now been laid to rest beside Brendan, his manager and former partner, who passed away from a brain tumour in 2005.

Brendan tragically died just days before Paul's 50th birthday in 2005, with the Lily Savage star paying tribute to his close friend shortly after his tragic death.

Paul told the Mirror: "I’d lost my best mate, someone who’d been in my life for 25 years and saw me through the days when I was lucky to earn £50 for standing on a beer crate in the corner of a pub telling jokes. Murph and I were like brothers – joined at the hip, thick as thieves.

"It transcended any sexual relationship we’d had. This was a partnership. A double act, Emma Peel and Steed, Laurel and Hardy. We were both 49, barely able to believe what we’d achieved – I’d just won a BAFTA for the Paul O’Grady Show – and then suddenly bang, he’s gone."

Paul would of course go on to find love again with Brazilian ballet dancer Andre, 25 years his junior, who he married in 2017.

They met in London gay club Showplace and Paul spoke previously about how he'd never even considered marriage until a chat with fellow star Julian Clary, who gave the eulogy at Paul's funeral on Thursday.

"Julian put the seed in my head. He said, ‘I’ve got married. You should'," Paul recalled.

"And he’s right, then you protect your partner. If anything happens to me, he is pro­­tected. It makes sense."

"You feel more committed. You have made a vow, you have to stick to it. But we still fight like cat and dog," Paul added.

Paul is survived by his husband, ex-wife Teresa Fernandes, daughter Sharon O'Grady, grandson Abel, granddaughter, Halo and Diane Jansen, the mother of his only daughter.

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