Paul O'Grady funeral live stream as dogs, fans and celebrities line streets

Vanessa Feltz says Paul O' Grady had the 'sweetest, kindest heart'

TV presenter Vanessa Fetlz paid tribute to Paul during her drivetime show on TalkTV.

The star told the audience: “I want to dedicate this part of the show to my beloved friend and showbusiness legend Paul O’Grady. His funeral was taking place this afternoon.

“I wanted to say how deeply, deeply he’s going to be missed by so very many different people. Because he touched so many different communities. Of course, there were all his fans who watched him on television, who just adored him as an entertainer whether in the guise of Lily Savage or whether as himself Paul O’Grady - a lover of animals, that champion of LGBT groups, that champion of social justice.

Vanessa Feltz described Paul as a "champion of social justice" (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"He had been a social worker before he was a comedian and was once watching a show when he thought, gosh, that MC is so abysmal, I’m sure I could do better. And leapt on the stage and that very night Lily Savage was born.”

Moving personal nods to Paul O' Grady

Nods and tributes to Paul could be seen as the star's funeral cortege made its way to St Rumwold’s Church in Bonnington, Kent.

Riding his final journey in a horse-drawn hearse, his beloved husband Andre Portasio was right there with him as he clutched their Maltese Conchita as they made their way through the adoring crowds.

Scientists plan to ‘de-extinct’ the Dodo and release it back into the wild

Among the personal touches was the tribute to his late dog Buster, who fans will remember appearing alongside him on his chat show.

Back in 2009, fans were heartbroken when Paul broke down in tears on the eponymous show, revealing that he had been forced to put his beoved pooch to sleep.

Over 13 years later, Paul is reunited with Buster and flowers arranging Buster's name and a depiction of the dog sat on his coffin.

Read more here.

A floral tribute to Paul's beloved dog Buster is laid on the entertainer's coffin (PA)

'A moving occasion'

The Reverend Canon Roger Martin described the funeral as a "very fitting send-off" to Paul O' Grady.

Following the private service, the vicar told the PA news agency: “The mood was very jolly. There were some recordings of Paul, favourite clips, a good selection of varied music, it was light-hearted. It was a moving occasion.”

He later added: “It was a very fitting send-off.”

After the service, mourners headed to a wake at Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent.

Music played during Paul O' Grady's funeral is fitting nod to star's career

The service opened with the sound of trumpets before You Gotta Get A Gimmick from the 1959 musical Gypsy, featuring lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, played.

O’Grady memorably gave a risque performance of the song in character as Lily Savage alongside Cilla Black and Dame Barbara Windsor at the 2001 Royal Variety Performance.

The entrance music was Meditation from the opera Thais by French composer Jules Massenet, a dramatic piece written for a solo violin and orchestra.

When he appeared on Desert Island Discs in 2003, he chose this as his favourite of all his musical choices.

The music played during Paul O' Grady's funeral had nods to his long running BBC radio show

Later in the service, the song Una Notte A Napoli by the Latin and jazz orchestra Pink Martini was heard.

Pink Martini, formed in 1994 in America by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, were a favourite of O’Grady’s and he often played them on his BBC Radio 2 show.

This was followed by the theme from British television drama series Upstairs Downstairs.

The tune featured in a radio special O’Grady hosted for the BBC titled Lost TV Themes.

Julian Clary gives eulogy to Paul during funeral service

Comedian July Clary gave a eulogy to his close friend, Paul.

The Reverend Canon Roger Martin described the eulogy as “very entertaining”.

“He spoke quite a lot about their stage life together,” he said.

Julian Clary arrives at Paul O' Grady's funeral

Read more here.

Dame Barbara Windsor's widower attends with EastEnders stars

Scott Mitchell, the widower of soap icon Dame Barbara Windsor, a close friend Paul's, was spotted walking to the church with EastEnders stars.

After Paul's death, Scott reflected on the star's close friendship with his late wife Barbara who died in 2020, after a battle with Alzheimer's.

Scott spoke of the times Paul "never forgot" about Barbara during her health battle, regularly visiting her and spending time with her - while also not forgetting Scott after his wife's death.

He said: "Especially when she was ill, Paul never forgot her, he continually came to the house… he’d sit with her for a couple of hours and he'd listen to her say the same thing over and over again.

"He truly was a good friend and afterwards to me, he hasn’t forgotten me either and pops in to see me. I'm really, really sad and I'm thinking of Andre and his family."

Scott Mitchell with EastEnders actors at Paul O' Grady's funeral (Tim Merry/Daily Mirror)

Comedian Alan Carr pays his respects

Comedian Alan Carr was among the stars who arrived to pay tribute to Paul at his funeral in Adlington, Kent.

He walked beside TV presenter Melanie Sykes as they made their way into the church.

(Getty Images)

Paul O' Grady is laid to rest

Paul O’Grady has been laid to rest in front of a congregation of his closest friends and family following an emotional funeral service.

The coffin was placed next to the grave of his former partner Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005. Mourners then headed to a wake at Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent.

Pallbearers carry the coffin of Paul O' Grady into St Rumwold’s Church (Tim Merry/Daily Mirror)

Celebrity mourners pet the animals

Before heading inside for the church service, celebrity chef Andi Oliver and Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay were among the mourners petting the animals.

Former soap star Sally broke down in tears last month as she paid tribute to her pal Paul on live TV, saying: "He was the most wonderful man, he was like a whirlwind, force of nature, funny, sharp wit, but also one of the fundamental things that we connected on, he was a bit of a social warrior as well.

"He was incandescent at what was going on with the Government at the moment with the corruption and with the cost of living."

Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay arriving for the funeral of Paul O'Grady (PA)

Paul's daughter arrives with Lily Savage's wig

Paul's wooden coffin, adorned with a wreath of lilies, has been carried into the church ahead of his funeral.

Among the arrivals was his daughter Sharyn who entered with a young man, possibly Paul's grandson, holding the wig of Lily Savage – Paul’s iconic drag alter ego.

Daughter of Paul O'Grady, Sharyn Mousley, with the Lily Savage wig (PA)

Fans grow emotional over Buster tribute

"I love that they’ve made a Buster out of flowers to sit next to Paul O’Grady’s coffin as he’s laid to rest. And all the dogs lining the route. So beautiful. So moving. So fitting," one fan tweeted as the procession made its way through the late star's village.

Another added: "The coffin of Paul O'Grady being driven through the lined streets of Kent with a Buster made of flowers beside him. How can something be so lovely and devastating at the same time?"

"Made myself cry thinking of Paul O'Grady being reunited with Buster and Olga," one emotional fan shared.

Paul's sweet nickname revealed as his daughter pays tribute

Paul will be missed by so many (PA)

Notes left outside the church have revealed Paul's adorable nickname.

A note from his daughter Sharyn Mousley attached to wreathes of lilies refers to Paul as "Gongan".

Paul welcomed Sharon into the world with his friend Diane Jansen. The doting dad was also grandfather to Abel and Halo prior to his untimely death.

Salvation Army Band's tribute to Paul's final job

The cortege has arrived at St Rumwold’s Church in the Kent village of Bonnington for the funeral

The horse-drawn carriage slowly made its way to the church where Reverend Canon Roger Martin welcomed family and friends including comedian Julian Clary, actress Dame Sheila Hancock, the late Dame Barbara Windsor’s widower Scott Mitchell and EastEnders actor Scott Maslen.

The Salvation Army Band played songs such as Tomorrow from the musical Annie – in which Paul was starring in a touring production at the time of his death.

Paul's hometown sing 'Who Let The Dogs Out' in tribute

As Paul's funeral takes place in Kent right now, fans in the late star's hometown have been remembering the Birkenhead-born legend in their own way.

Members of the public have gathered on Grange Road in Birkenhead this afternoon to pay their respects, with organiser Janine Reynolds said: "Thank you all for coming today and let us celebrate Paul O'Grady's life."

Chants of 'We love Paul' could be heard in the streets of Birkenhead, as some fans even broke out into song and gave the crowd a rendition of Who Let The Dogs Out - a touching but humorous nod to the star's love of animals.

Paul and Buster reunited

Paul and Buster are now reunited (PA)

Paul's coffin displays a touching tribute to the icon's beloved pet Buster, who passed away in 2009.

"He was riddled with cancer. He had cancer in his neck and his face and a tumour in his leg," Paul explained after Buster's sad death.

"The kindest thing for me to do was let him go but it was the worst thing I could ever do in my life but it had to be done because otherwise, it would have been selfish."

Paul's husband Andre arrives with one of the star's beloved dogs

Paul's widow Andre has arrived, riding alongside one of the late star's beloved dogs, Conchita.

"All the dogs at Paul O’Grady’s funeral he’d be absolutely made up," one fan wrote on Twitter as images from the procession began to circulate.

Andre and one of Paul's beloved pets (SWNS)

The hearse has arrived

RIP Paul (PA)

A very sad moment, the hearse has arrived ready to take Paul to his final resting place.

More soap legends and stars arrive ready to say goodbye

A trio of puppies from the Battersea Dogs And Cats Home greeted friends and family arriving for the funeral of Paul.

Celebrity chef Andi Oliver and Coronation Street star Sally Lindsay were among the mourners petting the animals ahead of entering St Rumwold’s Church in Bonnington.

EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison also attended the funeral, and arrived with comedian Jo Brand.

Celebrity chef Andi Oliver arriving for the funeral of Paul O'Grady (PA)

Gaby Roslin and EastEnders star arrive

Gaby Roslin cut a sombre figure as she arrived outside the church ready for the private service.

EastEnders star Linda Henry, who plays Shirley Carter on the BBC soap, joined the presenter and fellow mourners ahead of the funeral service beginning.

Gaby paid tribute to Paul on Instagram last month, writing: "Unbelievably sad news to wake up to. Paul you really were a one off. There will never be anyone quite like Paul.

"Goodness me we laughed together so much. Our chats lasted for hours and I know he’ll be up there now nattering away and keeping everyone laughing."

Linda Henry (Shirley from EastEnders) arrives to pay her respects

Rock royalty Ronnie Wood cuts a solemn figure as he heads into church

Jo Brand arrives to pay her respects

Jo Brand has arrived ready for the funeral, dress in an all-black ensemble as she pays her respects to Paul.

LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, wearing a purple shirt and black tie, and TV presenter Gaby Roslin sporting an all-black ensemble entered the Grade I listed church.

The Salvation Army Band was situated outside to welcome mourners to the medieval church located on the Royal Military Canal.

Jo Brand is one of the first famous faces to arrive ready for the funeral (Tim Merry)

Mourners prepare for the procession to begin

The streets of Aldington in Kent are thronged with members of the public who have come out to pay their respects to the star.

Some have even had to station themselves on back streets to be able to see the procession.

Mourners have been gathering since 10am this morning to pay tribute to Paul

Local teachers recall Paul's warmth and generosity

Claire Gates, a year-two teacher at Aldington Primary School, told the PA news agency: “In my first year of teaching here he (Paul) opened the summer fete. I was quite excited and gave him a hug or two. He was lovely and very, very appreciative of teaching, and always said how he could never do it.

“I think lots of pupils know him from the TV. A lot of my pupils are five or six, they have had conversations with their parents and realise they have seen him in the Post Office a few times or around the village.

“Asking children to draw anything they get really excited and when they found it it was dogs … they got very, very excited, it is just a great way to show love and how much we love what he has done.

Wellwishers - animal and human - have been arriving on the streets since 10am (PA)

“We are such a small village, it is lovely that he took a shine to us when he didn’t need to. He could have lived up the top of the hill and had nothing to do with us, but he didn’t. He made a conscious effort.”

Ben Dawson, co-headteacher of Aldington Primary School, added: “Since Paul moved to the village he has been quite active with our village school. He would regularly turn up on the fetes.

“He would not just turn up and then go, he would stay and chat to the children. Everyone who met him would say what you see on the screen is what you see in real life. He was a larger-than-life character who lit up a room.

“His death has been very unexpected and the children and staff had a conversation. We felt it appropriate that we would commemorate with a banner out the front of the school (during the procession) which will simply say ‘Thank you, Mr O’Grady’.”

He added that “as a community there is a great feeling of sadness over losing Paul and for all the things he did for the community. As a community, we took him into our hearts and he took us into his.”

'We should all try to be more like Paul'

'Paul was just an all around kind person who used his celebrity status to promote good causes'

Retired couple Jaqueline and Martin Laurie have come down from Barnet, north London, to pay their respects, bringing food their dogs Millais, a cockerpoo, and spaniel Beau, both aged ten.

Jacqueline says: "We just wanted to say goodbye, bring the dogs and remember Paul O'Grady.

"I remember him mostly from his Lily Savage days. He was a great man and a great ambassador for many causes, and not just dogs, also LBTGQ, AIDS, Save The Children.

"And obviously the program with the dogs was just a delight, it was nice to watch something, but has a happy ending. He was just an all around kind person who used his celebrity status to promote these causes in a big way, he dedicated so much of his life to them.

"That's got to be admired, and I think we should all try to be more like Paul."

Mourners travel to 'be there' for Paul

Mourners from the local area and further afield have been gathering in Aldington, Kent, Paul’s adopted home of more than 20 years, since 10am this morning.

A procession of limousines and a coffin in a horse and carriage will move from his home to St Rumwold’s Church in nearby Bonnington in the early afternoon.

Anne Manktelow, 61, left her home in Canterbury at 9am to be in the village for the funeral.

Mourners and their canine companions have flocked to Kent to pay tribute to Paul (Peter Macdiarmid/LNP)

She held back tears as she explained how she “had to be here” when she heard the news of the star’s death.

She told the PA news agency: “When I heard about Paul I just felt I had to be here, just because he is one of the genuine people.

“A lot of celebrities come across one way but they are so different in real life. It was just the real deal with Paul.

“I just want to stand with the people of the village.”

She added she hopes the bake sale and a guard of honour with dogs from Battersea raises the profile of the charity in a similar way to how Dame Deborah James raised awareness of bowel cancer.

Battersea dogs arrive ready to form a 'guard of honour' 

The Battersea dogs are ready to perform their duties

Four of the dogs from Paul's beloved charity Battersea Dogs Home have arrived in Adlington with their handlers.

The four dogs will form a 'guard of honour' on the route of his cortège before greeting guests with another two dogs at the church.

Labrador Elsie, who the star met, will line up on the street along with Shitzu -Jack Russell cross Digby, Chiwuawua Betty and Barney, a mix of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Poodle and Bichon.

All the dogs have been adopted by staff at the dog rescue charity which was so close to Paul's heart.

Lisa Porter, senior veterinary nurse at Battersea Dogs Home, who adopted Elsie, said: "A number of celebrity ambassadors come on site, but Paul was definitely the one that spoke most to staff, he was just quite inclusive and would chat to everyone.

"Some of the others would come and you wouldn't see them, but Paul would mingle and chat.

"He was really warm and knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about dogs."

As well as the six handlers who have come down to pay their respects, three others from Battersea

Dogs Home will be attending the funeral, including clinical director Sean Opperman and Ali Taylor.

'Paul didn’t hide himself away, he talked to people, he was popular in the village'

A church warden preparing for the private funeral service has said the TV star was “popular” in the village of Aldington, Kent.

He told the PA news agency: “I last spoke to him in December, I met him in Waitrose.

“I told him about our carol service, he asked after the church, because his former partner was buried here years ago. He used to come to church occasionally, Paul did after that, but not recently.

“He was popular in the village, he opened school fetes, he didn’t hide himself away, he talked to people, he was popular in the village. Nobody has ever said a bad word about him. He was a lovely man.”

Villagers vow to make Paul proud

Villagers in Kent are organising a bake sale outside the Walnut Tree pub with proceeds going to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

Landlady Karen Barrett told the PA news agency Paul had been a regular and was “lovely”.

She said: “I don’t quite know how I feel about today to tell you the truth … until he comes past and I am going to cry.

“It will be real. He was just lovely and if you didn’t get to meet him, then you missed out on life. You really did, he was just great.”

Ms Barrett, who became emotional when talking about Paul, said she was focusing on making sure “the day goes well and he would be proud of us”.

She added: “I moved into the village 22 years ago the same time as Paul did.”

A fitting tribute for dog-lover Paul (PA)

Aldington Women’s Institute chair Ginny Taylor, who organised the bake sale in honour of Paul O’Grady, told the PA news agency: “We wanted to honour Paul because he was very much part of our village. He was lovely, an absolutely lovely man.

“I was always very engaged, he must have got fed up to his back teeth with everyone but he was always good. It is a real shock, just even talking about it.”

Animals arrive to pay tribute

An array of animals, mainly dogs, have arrived ahead of the cortege for Paul.

Pups and four-legged creatures and have lined the streets in Aldington, Kent (with their humans) to pay tribute to Paul, who was a passionate animal lover.

One adorable pooch can be seen being pushed in a pram as he carries a poster of Paul and a dog - thanking the late star for the kindness he always showed animals.

A person and their canine companion outside the Walnut Tree Pub in Aldington, Kent, ahead of the cortege for Paul (PA)

'He was a very caring person'

The children wanted to do something to remember the star, who often opened school fetes and made donations to the school, and who many of the pupils knew.

Teacher Mrs Elderton said: "He was very much involved in the local community. All the children liked in as well as Andre.

"All the children at school drew dogs to remind us for Paul and his hard work, dedication and his love of animals. Then they mounted them on love hearts to represent our affection and fond memories"

Paul will be missed by his community (SplashNews.com)

One of the pupils, nine-year-old Albie Jones said: "I thought he was a very caring person, he cared for dogs, but not just dogs, he cared for all animals and people. We needed to pay our respects and show how much he was loved."

Bill Daynes, 10, said: "He was a great man and had so much to give. He had time for everybody and cared for everyone and everything. I saw him a few times, but I didn't know him personally, but everyone at school was really sad."