Paul O'Grady's widower Andre Portasio recalls heartbreaking moment the comedian passed away as he battled to save his life
Paul O'Grady's widower Andre Portasio has spoken out about the heartbreaking moment the comedian died in their home last year.
The beloved comedian passed away aged 67 on 28 March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
Andre has travelled to New Zealand in recent days as he couldn't bare being at home for the one-year anniversary of Paul's death.
Speaking to The Mirror, Andre told how nothing was out of the ordinary that day and the comedian had been in good spirits in the morning.
At one point, Paul went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea and Andre heard a loud bang.
Paul O'Grady's widower Andre Portasio has spoken out about the heartbreaking moment the comedian died in their home last year
Andre has travelled to New Zealand in recent days as he couldn't bare being at home for the one-year anniversary of Paul's passing (pictured together in 2018)
As the couple lived in an old, noisy house, Andre thought nothing of it at first and thought Paul had probably stepped out to the cottage nearby they were renovating.
Andre said: 'I walked to the kitchen to start putting some food on, and I started taking things out of the fridge. And all of a sudden, I could see him lying on the floor.
'I just didn't know what to think at first. He had a cut on his forehead, and I thought he was probably just unconscious. I called the ambulance and they said the best chance to keep him alive was to do CPR.'
Andre tried desperately to save his husband's life, saying he was 'exhausted' by the time the ambulance arrived.
The ambulance crew spent an hour trying to resuscitate Paul and at one point told Andre he was breathing. It was short-lived however and they pronounced him dead soon after.
Recalling the heartbreaking moment, Andre said: 'Somehow Paul's dog Arfur, who is one of his favourites, escaped and he nuzzled his face as he always did on Paul's shoulder, as if to say 'wake up'. It was just heartbreaking.'
Andre found Paul's birthday in June very difficult and also struggled at Christmas, cancelling a planned meal with Paul's family and spending the day alone.
One thing that helped him cope was the 'outpouring of love' for Paul as people kept coming to the house with flowers and cards.
Andre said: 'I walked to the kitchen to start putting some food on, and I started taking things out of the fridge. And all of a sudden, I could see him lying on the floor'
The ambulance crew spent an hour trying to resuscitate Paul and at one point told Andre he was breathing. It was short-lived however and they pronounced him dead soon after
Andre also received many messages from people across the UK including Queen Camilla who worked with Paul at the Battersea Dogs and Cats home.
Several of Paul's celebrity friends have also lent their support including Julian Clary, Ian McKellen, Ronnie Wood's wife Sally and Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell.
Fellow comedian Julian paid tribute to Paul during an appearance on The One Show on Monday evening.
The star joined hosts Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas to speak about the new feature-length documentary about Paul, The Life and Death of Lily Savage.
The old friends lived close to each other in Kent and were frequently spotted in the local pub enjoying a cider or even Moet et Chandon.
Andre received many messages from people across the UK including Queen Camilla who worked with Paul at the Battersea Dogs and Cats home
Paul's friend Julian Clary recently said he was 'full of just natural kindness and random generosity' (pictured together in 2017)
Julian revealed Paul gifted him a vintage 1920s Rayburn oven, to warm his house up when he first moved in.
Speaking about his dearly-missed pal, Julian said: 'He was full of just natural kindness and random generosity. As well as the big charities, he was always helping people. It was due to the values he grew up with, I guess.
'And he was very kind to me as well, not that I was an underdog, but when I moved in nearby him, he came by with a basket full of eco-friendly cleaning products and a shepherds pie.
'And the house was very cold, the next day a lorry arrived with a vintage 1920s Rayburn oven on it. It warmed the whole house up.'
Earlier this month it was revealed Paul left an astonishing £775,000 of his £15.5million fortune to charities close to his heart.
The star willed £500,000 of his fortune to Battersea Dogs Home, which featured in his popular ITV show For the Love of Dogs.
He also left over £50,000 to the Salvation Army, of whom he had been a lifelong fan and featured them in his 2016 TV programme The Sally Army and Me with Paul O'Grady.
Paul also set aside £125,000 to look after his dogs - Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage - with specific instructions written out for them in his will.
The animal lover also gave generous donations of £50,000 to elephant and orangutan charities.
