Paul O’Grady’s heartbreaking last post before his ‘unexpected’ death

Paul O’Grady shared heartbreaking news in his final social media post about his pet just days before his sudden death.

In the Instagram post, created just two weeks before his own death, the 67-year-old animal lover shared his heartbreak at the loss of his pet pig Tom Tom.

O’Grady, who passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ on Tuesday March 28th,  said on his social media page how he had returned home from ‘a week in Newcastle playing Miss Hannigan’ in the onstage production Annie to find Tom Tom had been ‘put to sleep’.

Posting a sweet video of the ‘cheeky’ animal, he said he had expected the news as Tom Tom had been diagnosed with a tumour. O’Grady said how ‘fond’ he was of his pet pig, and was mourning his loss.

In the Instagram post he wrote: “Got back from a week in Newcastle playing Miss Hannigan in Annie to find that Tom Tom, one of my pigs had been put to sleep. I knew it was coming as he’d been diagnosed with a tumour but even so it’s awful when you lose a pet. 

“He was the cheekiest of the gang and one of the other pigs who was obviously very fond of him is now depressed and gone into mourning and there’s those who say that animals don’t have feelings. 

“On a lighter note I’m thoroughly enjoying playing Hannigan again after so long especially with a truly amazing and lovely cast. Next stop Edinburgh. @anniemusicaluk #animals #pigs.”

O’Grady died on Tuesday evening, with his passing announced by his husband Andre Portasio. Best known for his persona of drag act Lily Savage, his wit and love for animals, the comedian became a national treasure loved by many. 

He performed comedy acts, hosted Blankety Blank and Blind Date, as well as ITV’s For The Love Of Dogs – for which he won multiple awards. His celebrity game show, Paul O’Grady’s Saturday Night Line Up was also a favourite.

O’Grady was open about his health issues in recent years after suffering two heart attacks and catching Covid-19 last year. Prior to his sad death, the TV and radio legend had been shocked by how badly Covid affected him and the lasting effects it had on him, leaving him unable to work for two months.

O’Grady is survived by his husband Andre, his daughter Sharon and two grandchildren. The cause of his death has yet to be confirmed.