Paul O’Grady’s husband was pictured clutching dog Conchita on arrival as a horse-drawn carriage slowing made its way through his home village of Aldington to St Rumwold’s Church in nearby Bonnington, Kent.
Paul O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio was emotional as he rode in the carriage pulled by two black horses and adorned with a wreath of their dog Buster, with one of the other dogs, Conchita, on his lap.
Nine limousines followed with an entourage including motorbikes behind them.
After they arrived at the church, Mr Portasio was seen clutching Conchita to him as he headed inside the building.
Paul O’Grady was laid to rest next to his former partner Brendan Murphy, who passed away in 2005 from an inoperable brain tumour.
Brendan Murphy was also Paul O’Grady’s manager and died just days before the star’s 50th birthday.
Fans of the late TV star and drag entertainer Paul O’Grady were sharing pictures of their pet dogs on social media as they paid tribute to Paul.
The presenter and performer, 67, who was also known as his drag alter ego Lily Savage, died of cardiac arrhythmia following a cardiac arrest at his home earlier this month.
Fans of Paul O’Grady posted photos of their dogs as they remembered the animal lover fondly, adding personal messages thanking him for his support of the canine community.
One said that he was a good person and loved his doggies and that was good enough for them.
At the church, pallbearers carried the wooden coffin decorated with a wreath of lilies, while Paul O’Grady’s daughter Sharyn Mousley entered with a young man carrying the wig of Lily Savage, her father’s drag alter ego.
Reverend Canon Roger Martin received family and friends including comedian Julian Clary, actress Dame Sheila Hancock, and the late Dame Barbara Windors’s widower Scott Mitchell.
As celebrity friends of Paul O’Grady started to arrive for the TV star’s funeral, it became apparent just how close-knit the intimate ceremony was to be.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and comedian Alan Carr were welcomed to St Rumwold’s Parish Church in the Kent village of Bonnington by sombre music from the Salvation Army Band.
Comedian and TV presenter Jo Brand arrived with soap star Cheryl Fergison, followed by actress Linda Henry, who plays Shirley Carter in Eastenders.
Celebrity chef Andi Oliver and Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay were also in attendance.
It was lovely that his beloved dogs and Battersea Dogs Home were honouring him like this. It was all extremely sad. Sharp wit along with his passion for rescue dogs. A very kind person who always helped animals and he made people laugh so much, and he will be missed by many people. He was a national treasure. I can imagine him saying when he gets to heaven, “Can I have four poofs and a piano”.
Paul O’Grady was sent off in style, and one which he richly deserved.
He was an extraordinarily beautiful person who gave so much happiness to thousands of people, and he left an incredible gift behind.
Paul O’Grady is irreplaceable, but no doubt one of the current yield of celebrity deadbeats is already being lined up to take his place, and I hope he knew how much he was adored.
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 