Bye, Paul

Villagers, stars and lots of dogs united in grief for O'Grady

- MATT ROPER

WHEN the time came to make one last journey through the roads he knew so well, they were packed with fans, kids and dogs - lots of dogs.

And it felt like just the send-off Paul O'Grady would have wanted.

Mourners fell silent as his coffin, in a carriage pulled by two black horses, passed by in windy Aldington, Kent.

Paul's partner of 17 years Andre Portasio who married the TV star in 2017 sat atop the carriage, holding one of their pups, Conchita.

The ex-ballet dancer looked stunned by the outpouring of love, wiping away a tear as applause for the late comedian rippled around the crowd.

In recognition of Paul's work for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, which featured in his series Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs, four rescue hounds formed a "guard of honour" outside Paul's local pub, before the cortege moved on to a private service at 12th century St Rumwold's Church, in nearby Bonnington.

Mourners there were greeted by four more rescue dogs, as well as the Salvation Army Band another charity close to the star's heart. Andre still held Conchita as he entered the church, while Paul's daughter Sharyn Mousley held the wig her dad wore when he immortalised his acerbic alter ego, drag queen Lily Savage.

Fellow comics Julian Clary, Alan Carr and Jo Brand were at the service, along with Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, his wife Sally Humphreys, actresses Sally Lindsay, Linda Henry and Sheila Hancock and presenter Mel Sykes.