Paul O’Grady dead: Inside late star’s health battles including heart attacks, kidney failure and Covid scare

TV LEGEND Paul O'Grady sadly passed away last night following years of health battles.

The star's cause of death is yet to be confirmed but his husband Andre Portasio said he went "peacefully" at the age of 67.

Paul had openly spoken about his health problems and struggles over the years.

In 2002 the star suffered his first heart attack before having another in 2006 and 2014.

He previously told The Sun: “My cardiologist says I have the constitution of an ox.

"Three days after my last heart attack, I was back fire-eating with McFly.

“The heart is a muscle so you have two choices: Sit on the sofa and count your tablets all day, or get on with it and get moving — swimming and walking, gentle exercise.”

During a trip to India in 2017 he was hospitalised with kidney trouble while filming his animal show.

Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.

Most recently, the Lily Savage and Radio 2 star told how Covid "wiped [him] out".

The presenter caught the virus in 2020 while filming for the second series of Sally Lindsay’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries in Malta.

He was left unable to work for two months as he fought it off.

He told the : "It wiped me out, I was shocked at how bad I was.

"I [took] a good two months getting over it. My breath had gone.

“All I did was sleep. I’d wake up, go downstairs and sit on the couch and then pass out for another four hours."

Partner Andre broke the tragic news last night.

He said: "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."

Born on June 14, 1955 in Birkenhead, before he hit the big time, Paul performed as Lily Savage in the 80s.

He started off working the drag circuit with his act across pubs and clubs, and as he grew popular he eventually toured the country.

From 1989 to 1992, Paul performed annually as Lily at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, gaining increasing recognition for his act.

Paul went on to host Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast for a year in the mid-Nineties, as alter ego Lily.

He then fronted BBC game show Blankety Blank from 1998 to 2002 as Lily, and in 2004 landed his own teatime chat-show slot, The Paul O’Grady Show, on Channel 4.

In 2008 he was awarded an MBE and, in 2010, the National Television Awards Special Recognition gong.

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

Paul had one daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen in 1974.