Paul O’Grady will be laid to rest with a private service featuring a guard of honour with pooches from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
The television died died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at his home on March 28 aged 67.
In a special nod will be given to the star, who became an ambassador for the animal charity in 2012.
READ MORE: Paul O’Grady’s funeral date and details confirmed by husband after tragic death
He also rehomed five dogs will filming his award-winning ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.
Following Paul’s passing, Battersea set up a tribute fund which has so far raised over £270,000 for the chartiy.
(Image: ITV/Battersea Cat and Dogs Home/REX/Shutterstock)
On Thursday (April 20), the procession leading to the private service is expected to carry his coffin through his home town of Aldington in Kent, with local fans expected to gather along the streets to pay their respects and mourn the showbiz star.
Paul’s widow Andre Portasio posted in local Facebook groups inviting the local school and community to line the streets to mourn the comedian, expressing his “deep gratitude” for the “overwhelming outpouring of support and love” the family has received in the wake of his husband’s death.
(Image: ITV)
He 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”.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The Salvation Army Band is expected to play during the private service on Thursday.
Paul died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia which was linked to his coronary heart disease, the Express has reported.
He was the proud owner of five dogs when he passed, alongside chickens, sheep, pigs, alpacas and goats.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
