Paul O’Grady is laid to rest - which friends and family attended his funeral?

Hundreds of mourners and dogs have lined the streets of Kent as familiar faces gather ‘For the Love’ of Paul O’Grady as the TV star is laid to rest in a private service.

The 67-year-old known for his work with Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and for making strides as Lily Savage passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ last month after a sudden cardiac arrhythmia.

Queen Camilla and Carol Vorderman were among the first to pay tribute to the much-loved presenter on 28 March as well as ITV running Paul O’Grady’s popular programme ‘For the Love of Dogs’ in the evening.

Fans and friends alike say goodbye to Paul in his hometown of Aldington in Kent today, with the dogs of Battersea Dogs Home forming a guard of honour as his coffin is pulled through the streets by two black horses.

Paul’s husband Andre Portasio rode in the horse-drawn carriage with one of the couple’s dogs sitting on his lap while a floral tribute resembling Paul’s late dog Buster lay on the coffin.

Throughout his four-decade career, Paul made numerous friends including comedian Jo Brand and musician Ronnie Wood, who were seen arriving at St Rumwold’s Parish Church ahead of the private funeral as well as LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.

Soap stars also arrived at the church to pay their respects including EastEnders’ actress Linda Henry and Coronation Street’s Sally Lindsay.

Other friends of the late drag icon who were seen in Kent today were TV presenter Gaby Roslin and celebrity chef Andi Oliver, all greeted at the church by a trio of puppies from Battersea - including a familiar face who met Paul O’Grady when he filmed an episode with Queen Camilla in 2022.

As Paul O’Grady’s coffin draws up to the church, he will be met by the Salvation Army who he previously trained with in 2016 and personal notes from his family where his daughter Sharyn Mousley wrote:

“Gongan, we miss you so much, Abel and Halo will never forget you. Your little teddy is with you. I love you.”