Stars including comedians Alan Carr and Jo Brand and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood have arrived in Kent for the funeral of Paul O’Grady – TV star, LGBTQ campaigner and animal lover.
A private funeral for O’Grady, who died on 28 March, will take place after a procession through the village of Aldington in Kent.
Actress Linda Henry, who plays Shirley Carter in EastEnders, LGBTQ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and TV presenter Gaby Roslin were among those in attendance.
Dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home will form a guard of honour for the service, recognising his extensive work as an ambassador for the charity.
Some dogs could be seen wearing jackets identifying them as being from the home, with the phrase “rescue is best”, as mourners gathered on Thursday.
O’Grady rehomed five dogs from Battersea while he filmed Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs and more than £270,000 has been raised for the charity since his death.
Image: Ronnie and Sally Wood arriving for the funeral of Paul O'Grady
Crowds gathered in the village, where O’Grady lived for more than 20 years, from mid-morning on Thursday.
Many brought their dogs. One pup in a pram had a photo of O’Grady with a dog with the message “Thank you”.
Celebrity chef Andi Oliver and Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay were among those petting the animals.
Image: A dog with its owner waiting for the funeral procession for Paul O'Grady
Image: Fleur Boyd (left) with her mother Astrid Allen travelled from Margate with their dog Zeus to pay their respects
Other mourners wore T-shirts featuring pictures of dogs.
Pupils from Aldington Primary School displayed a collage of dog drawings they had done inside a large heart.
Image: Pupils and teachers from Aldington Primary School display their drawings of dogs in O'Grady's honour
A bake sale was being organised outside the Walnut Tree pub with proceeds going to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
O’Grady, who rose to fame as his drag alter ego Lily Savage before going on to host a string of television programmes, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at his home on 28 March at the age of 67.
News
