Paul O’Grady to be buried in same graveyard as ex-lover Brendan Murphy

Paul O’Grady is set to be buried today in his home village of Aldington in Kent, following his death due to sudden cardiac arrhythmia.

It has now been revealed by a church warden preparing for the private service for the Lily Savage star that Paul will be buried in the same graveyard as his former partner Brendan Murphy.

Brendan, who was also Paul’s manager, died due to an inoperable brain tumour in June 2005.

The church warden commented: “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.

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“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.”

Paul was heartbroken when he lost his best friend and partner Brendan.

Brendan tragically died at Charing Cross Hospital just days before Paul was due to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Paul opened up on losing Brendan to the Mirror at the time of his death 18 years ago.

Paul said: “It couldn’t get any worse.

“I looked like someone who shouldn’t bother coming home from the cemetery. My hair was coming out in cobs and I’d lost two-and-a-half stone. I looked like a hunched-up old man.

“I’d lost my best mate, someone who’d been in my life for 25 years and saw me through the days when I was lucky to earn £50 for standing on a beer crate in the corner of a pub telling jokes. Murph and I were like brothers – joined at the hip, thick as thieves.

“It transcended any sexual relationship we’d had. This was a partnership. A double act, Emma Peel and Steed, Laurel and Hardy.

“We were both 49, barely able to believe what we’d achieved – I’d just won a BAFTA for the Paul O’Grady Show – and then suddenly bang, he’s gone…”

After losing Brendan, Paul went on to marry former ballet dancer and his boyfriend of 11 years, Andre Portasio, in 2017.

Andre confirmed the sad news of Paul’s death in a statement, where he said: “We ask, at this difficult time, that whilst you celebrate his life you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.

“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion.”