Fans of Paul O’Grady were deeply moved as they watched the late comedian and TV presenter’s final television production, “Great Elephant Adventure,” air on ITV.
O’Grady, renowned for his creation of the celebrity drag persona Lily Savage, passed away last March due to cardiac arrhythmia at the age of 67.
During his final days, O’Grady was immersed in completing “Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure,” a documentary series where he delves into elephant conservation in Thailand and Laos.
The premiere of the first episode on Sunday night (31 March) evoked both heartfelt and poignant reactions from viewers, leaving many in tears.
One viewer expressed, “Didn’t expect to end up crying over a programme about Elephants with Paul O’Grady #PogElephants but here we are.”
Another commented, “What a joyous bit of television! What incredible animals and what a loss Paul O’Grady is.”
“Watching Paul O’Grady‘s Great Elephant Adventure,” remarked another viewer, “What magnificent creatures and a wonderful human being.”
Reflecting on O’Grady’s passing, his husband Andre Portasio recently shared candid insights about the star’s final moments, marking one year since his death.
Portasio described the day as seemingly ordinary, with O’Grady returning from a tour, feeling a bit fatigued, and having a planned meeting with long-time radio producer Malcolm Prince.
Recalling their last interaction, Portasio mentioned, “I’ll never forget saying to him how handsome he looked, and him joking back, saying ‘F*** off!’”
The sudden turn of events occurred when O’Grady left to make tea, and Portasio heard a loud noise, initially attributing it to the house’s age and size. However, upon entering the kitchen, he found O’Grady on the floor with a head wound.
Portasio acted swiftly, contacting emergency services and administering CPR until the ambulance arrived.
Reflecting on their relationship, O’Grady and Portasio met in 2006 and tied the knot in 2017.
“Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure” is now available for streaming on ITVX, allowing viewers to experience O’Grady’s passion for wildlife conservation firsthand.
