A close friend of Paul O’Grady says the TV star turned down a vital heart operation just months before his death.
The much-loved entertainer and comedian died aged 67 at his home in Aldington, near Ashford, in March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia; a cardiac arrest with no known cause.
Paul O’Grady was known for his love of animals. Picture: Joseph Murphy/RSPCA
But it has now been revealed he refused an implantable defibrillator in a bid to not let other people down due to his work commitments, which included signing up for the musical Annie which toured the UK.
Mr O’Grady’s close friend and producer, Malcolm Prince, made the revelations in a new book about the man who shot to fame as Lily Savage.
Speaking to The Mirror, he said: “He didn’t want to go back into hospital to have another procedure and then spend time recuperating.
“He wanted to get on and live his life but also work. He didn’t want to let people down.”
A few months before his death, the former drag queen spent a week at the William Harvey Hospital.
Malcolm Prince with Paul O’Grady and his dog Conchita. Picture: Emilie Sandy Photography/PA
However, it is said he didn’t want to return to the Willesborough infirmary and messaged his daughter, Sharyn, telling her he wouldn’t be getting the defibrillator.
His manager, Joan Marshrons, added: “He was scared of losing control and I think that’s why he wouldn’t have the pacemaker because he didn’t want to be on camera or in front of an audience when the thing kicked in – he would have been embarrassed about it all.”
Mr Prince’s book – Paul O’Grady: Not The Same Without You – is set to be serialised by the Daily and Sunday Mirror.
It features memories from his family, including Sharyn, and celebrity friends.
Meanwhile, the book mentions how Mr O’Grady may have had an eating disorder stemming from the pressure to remain slim as his alter-ego Lily Savage.
The Paul O’Grady Show was one of the star’s many TV successes
His make-up artist, Vanessa White, recalled how he wouldn’t be able to eat while he was filming as Lily.
Last month, it was revealed a special headstone has finally been put in place for the beloved TV star – two-and-a-half years after he died.
His widow, Andre Portasio, fought for his husband to be given a headstone at his grave in St Rumwold’s Church, Bonnington.
After a lengthy battle, the final design was placed at his grave, bearing both his, the name of his former long-term partner, Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005, and a figurine of his dog, Buster.
As well as rising to fame with his Lily Savage persona in the 1980s and 1990s, he went on to host a string of television programmes, including Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs.
Paul O’Grady’s headstone was finally erected last month. Picture: Andre Portasio
He had previously survived three heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014 and suffered kidney failure. He also talked very openly about his battle with Covid in April 2020.
He hosted his own daytime chat show, The Paul O’Grady Show, which began airing in 2004, followed by the New Paul O’Grady Show.
In 2008, he was made an MBE in the Birthday Honours for services to entertainment.
