Last photo of Paul O’Grady while performing in Annie – three days before his death

The last photo of Paul O’Grady shows the late TV star and drag act posing with a dog in Edinburgh where he was performing in a stage production of the musical Annie before his death aged 67.

The actor and comedian was seen smiling warmly as he clutched a dog in a photo shared on Instagram which was taken three days ago.

Another photo from three days ago showing O’Grady, who has died suddenly, posing with a fan outside the Edinburgh Playhouse. 

And a third snap from five days ago shows the star dressed as Miss Hannigan, the main antagonist in Annie, and holding another dog.

In a statement released early this morning, O’Grady’s partner Andre Portasio confirmed he had passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’. His cause of death is not immediately clear.

O’Grady was photographed with a Miniature Dachshund a few days before he passed away

This photo of Paul O’Grady was posted by a fan after a performance of Annie in Edinburgh three days ago

He was an ambassador for Battersea Cats and Dogs Home and had rehomed several rescue dogs himself.

O’Grady’s partner Mr Portasio said early this morning: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening. 

‘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.

‘I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.’

O’Grady and Portasio were married during a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017.

O’Grady had been due to continue a tour of the UK as Miss Hannigan, next appearing in Southampton at the end of April.

He was also scheduled to play the role in Liverpool, Wimbledon and Bristol as late as November this year. 

The father-of-one’s cause of death was not immediately revealed, however he had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and also kidney failure.

During his career, he hosted The Paul O’Grady Show, Blind Date and Blankety Blank, as well as ITV’s multi-award-winning For The Love Of Dogs. He also hosted ITV celebrity game show, Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up.

O’Grady was playing Miss Hannigan in a theatre production of Annie in Edinburgh

Paul O’Grady had one daughter, Sharyn, right (Pictured with his new-born grandaughter)

O’Grady had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and also kidney failure

The star shot to fame as Lily Savage in the 1980s and 1990s, before becoming a household name in the early 2000s

O’Grady poses after receiving his MBE in 2008 at Buckingham Palace

Paul O’Grady performing as Lily Savage, as the Wicked Queen, in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs

Amanda Holden (right) has been among the celebrities leading tributes to the star this morning

The comedian made a name for himself speaking out about LGBT issues and while performing as Lily Savage (pictured)

O’Grady took over the reins from Blind Date’s long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.

Last year he was joined by the Queen Consort in a special one-off episode of For The Love Of Dogs to mark 160 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, an organisation for which he was an ambassador.

The comedian and TV personality shot to fame as his drag queen persona before going on to host a string of television and radio programmes, both as Lily Savage and himself. 

But his career began a world away from the glitzy glamour of the screen as he began performing in the 1970s while also employed by Camden Council in north London.

The comedian made a name for himself speaking out about LGBT issues and picked up a mainstream following after being nominated for a Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe festival in 1991. 

Celebrities including Vernon Kay, Amanda Holden and Lorraine Kelly are leading tributes to the iconic drag act and TV star Paul O’Grady after his sudden death aged 67. 

Paying tribute to the trailblazer with a photo on Instagram, Amanda Holden said: ‘Woken up to this sad, sad news. I loved Paul. 

‘He was brilliantly opinionated, searingly sharp and very funny. I loved our conversations. I can’t quite believe it. Thoughts with Andre and their family.’ 

And Paddy McGuiness wrote on Twitter that O’Grady, for whom he stood in on his chat show more than 15 years ago, ‘was always supportive, kind and just great to be around’.