Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio talks to the Mirror about sharing the last video of the star with fans saying how it helps to remember how funny, genuine and upbeat he was
TV star Paul O’Grady’s widower has told how he draws great comfort from re-watching videos of the late star as he shared with fans the last film of his husband. Andre Portasio told the Mirror how he chanced upon the clip – which shows Paul 20minutes before he passed away – after it flashed up on his phone at 1am on the morning of the second anniversary.
He said: “I went to bed and I looked at my phone and it showed a featured picture. I didn’t recognise what it was, and then when it came up I was like ‘oh my god.’ I had totally forgotten about it.’ I thought it was a nice thing to share with his fans.”
In quiet moments, Andre said how he often looked at videos of Paul, who died on March 28, at the home they shared in Kent. “I normally enjoy watching videos of him,” says Andre. “Sometimes I get upset but mostly I laugh about them. He was so funny. It also helps me to remember how funny and genuine and upbeat he was.”
The video of Paul sees the star surrounded by his dogs and doing a video message after winning an award for his book, Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang.
Paul said: “Hello everybody, I’m Paul O’Grady and I just want to say a massive thank you for reading my book, and also for voting for it. I’m absolutely delighted with my award so thank you very much.” Cuddling up to his dog Eddie, Paul adds: “And by the way, this is Eddie, this is my dog. Aren’t you? You’re famous. And Butch in the book is based on this little one. You’re being very quiet today aren’t you? Anyway, once again, thank you so much.I really appreciate it.Look after yourselves.”
Tragically, just 20 minutes later, Paul passed away in the kitchen. Andre was speaking from Uruguay, where he has friends and family.
“I wanted to be as far away as possible again for the anniversary,” he explains . «I have been ok. Life just continues. Paul is always in my mind. I’ve had to make so many difficult decisions now. I am selling the house and you just hope he is there to guide me. Am I doing the right thing, am I not?”
Andre laughs as he remembers how meal times at their home used to be much simpler. “He was such a big personality in the house….deciding what to cook now is so hard,” he says. “Paul never ate anything he kept as a pet so no chicken, no pork, no lamb. It was always very easy to know what to have for dinner.”
Andre posted about what he called the “lost video” of Paul on his Instagram page. He said in the caption: “It’s incredible how our minds can shield us from the pain of loss in moments of shock. Today, my iPhotos reminded me of a lost video I recorded of Paul just 20 minutes before he sadly passed—what became the last recording he ever made to camera.
“In this bittersweet moment, you see him as the genuinely kind man he was, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone for supporting his book, which he recorded for an award ceremony he couldn’t attend. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since his passing. All the while, he’s surrounded by his beloved dogs. We miss you dearly, @paulogrady . Happy heavenly birthday!”
In the replies, fellow TV presenter Gaby Roslin wrote: “Miss him so much. This is special and precious. Big love Andre.” Actress Michelle Collins added: “This is unbelievable, so sad. Makes you realise what a wonderful person he was. Life can be so fragile. We have to really embrace it like Paul did, such a loss. Wish there were more like him x”
Paul’s died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, aged 67, which brought their 18-year love affair to an end. “I really thought that when we got married it would be forever,” he told the Mirror last year. “I just didn’t realise that forever would be so shortlived.”
TOM BRYANT OPINION
Softly-spoken and kind, you can see why Paul O’Grady loved Andre so much. I interviewed him last year from the airport as he was getting ready to board a plane to New Zealand shortly ahead of the first anniversary of Paul’s death. Heartbreakingly, he told me wanted to be as far away as possible from the same four walls where his beloved husband passed away. So it was little surprise when he told me he was in Uruguay this time around to mark two years. Grief affects us all differently, and just like there is for the nation, there’s a large Paul-sized hole in his life too.
