Paul O’Grady turned down a vital heart operation just months before his death for the heartbreaking reason he didn’t want to let other people down.
The TV presenter passed away aged 67 at his home in Kent, in March 2023 after suffering form a cardiac arrhythmia.
And now it has been revealed that in the final few months of his life he refused an implantable defibrillator due to his work commitments.
The star had signed up to do the musical Annie as well as a dog show and didn’t want to take time out.
Now the star’s close friend and producer Malcolm Prince has written a book about Paul as he explained to The Mirror: ‘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.’
Paul O’Grady turned down a vital heart operation just months before his death for the heartbreaking reason he didn’t want to let other people down
It has been revealed that in the final few months of his life he refused an implantable defibrillator due to his work commitments
A few months prior to his death Paul spent a week in William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent and didn’t want to return to hospital and text his daughter Sharyn to tell her he wouldn’t be getting the defib.
Meanwhile his manager and close Joan Marshrons, explained: ‘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.’
Malcolm’s upcoming book Paul O’Grady – Not The Same Without You is set to be serialized by the Daily and Sunday Mirror.
The book features candid testimony from his family, including his daughter Sharyn, his friends, colleagues and celebrity pals.
Malcolm also revealed that Paul made comments where he appeared to acknowledge his time was limited, remarking to his friend that he was ‘not going to be here for much longer.’
The book also mentions how Paul may have had an eating disorder which could have stemmed from the pressure to remain slim as his alter-ego Lily Savage.
His make-up artist Vanessa White recalled how he wouldn’t be able to eat while he was filming as Lily.
Earlier this month it was revealed Paul’s grave was finally given a headstone two and a half years after his death.
The star’s friend Malcolm Prince has written a book about Paul as he explained: ‘ He didn’t want to go back into hospital to have another procedure and then spend time recuperating’
He was laid to rest the following month in St. Rumwold’s Churchyard in Bonnington, Kent and for the last two years, his grave has been marked wooden crosses and ornaments
After ‘lengthy’ application process, his widow, Andre Portasio, took to Paul’s Instagram account on Friday to announce that he has placed the ‘final design’ of Paul’s headstone
He was laid to rest in St. Rumwold’s Churchyard in Bonnington, Kent and for the last two years his grave has been marked wooden crosses and ornaments.
After a ‘lengthy’ application process, his widow, Andre Portasio, took to Paul’s Instagram account on Friday to announce that he has placed the ‘final design’ of Paul’s headstone at his grave.
Paul’s headstone is dark grey and bears Paul’s name as well as the name of his former long-term partner, Brendan Murphy.
Brendan died after suffering from an inoperable brain tumour in 2005 and is buried alongside Paul.
The headstone also features a figurine of Paul’s dog Buster and one of Paul’s ‘favourite’ quotes, which is from Philosopher Michel de Montaigne.
Captioning the album of photos, Andre wrote: ‘I am very pleased to share that, after two and a half years since Paul’s passing and a lengthy application process, we have finally placed the final design of his headstone at his grave.
‘My heartfelt thanks to the Commissary Court of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Parish of Bonnington, and the Church of St. Rumwold.
‘Special appreciation to Robin Hopkins, Commissary General of the Diocese of Canterbury, for granting permission for the final design, which features a replica of Buster similar to the one at @battersea headquarters.
‘I miss him dearly every day, but I am grateful that his resting place is now complete. I hope he would be pleased with the final design. (sic)’
Andre concluded the post’s caption with: ‘As one of his favourite quotes, ‘The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one’s own self.’ — Montaigne #paulogrady. (sic)’
