…Researched and contributed by Babatunde Lucas.
Paul O’Grady, the television presenter and ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home who died on March 28 at the age of 67, will be given a special tribute in his funeral procession.
His coffin will be led by a guard of honour of pooches from the animal charity, which has raised over £270,000 in tribute to the star since his death.
O’Grady became involved with Battersea in 2012 and rehomed five dogs while filming the ITV series Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.
The procession, which will include the Salvation Army Band, is expected to travel through Aldington in Kent, where local fans are expected to pay their respects.
Although the funeral will be a private ceremony, O’Grady’s husband, Andre Portasio, has invited the local community to line the streets to mourn the comedian, with the procession set to pass through Aldington as a nod to O’Grady’s affection for the area.
The invitation was posted in local Facebook groups, with Portasio expressing his “deep gratitude” for the “overwhelming outpouring of support and love” the family has received since his husband’s passing.
Residents are invited to stand on Roman Road, Forge Hill or New Road Hill between 2.10pm and 2.45pm on Thursday.
However, Portasio requested people to “respect the villagers and the local area”.
O’Grady died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at his home from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, linked to his coronary heart disease.
He was survived by his husband and five dogs, alongside chickens, sheep, pigs, alpacas and goats.