TRAGIC END
Paul O’Grady cause of death revealed as star died at home age 67
THE cause of Paul O'Grady's tragic death has been confirmed.
The family of the TV legend revealed the Radio 2 star passed away "unexpectedly but peacefully" aged 67 on March 28.
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His official death certificate has now confirmed that Paul died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.
Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, or SADS, is when someone dies suddenly following a cardiac arrest and no obvious cause can be found.
The certificate, seen by the , showed he died at home.
In 2020, at the age of 65, Paul opened up about having three heart attacks, kidney failure and a coronavirus scare behind him.
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At the time he 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.”
HEALTH ISSUES
Paul suffered heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and his parents both died of heart issues.
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In 2017, he was hospitalised in India with kidney trouble while filming his animal show. Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.
At the time his death husband Andre Portasio 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.
What is Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome?
Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome occurs when someone has a ‘ventricular arrhythmia’ - also known as a disturbance in the heart's rhythm.
The rhythm of our heartbeat is controlled by natural electrical activity in our heart cells and if this electrical current is disturbed it can result in a cardiac arrest.
There are a group of fairly rare diseases called ion channelopathies which can cause these potentially fatal arrhythmias.
The diseases affect the electrical functioning of the heart but don't impact the heart's structure - so they can only be detected when a person is alive not during a post-mortem.
He started off working the drag circuit with his act across pubs and clubs, and as he grew more 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 followed this with a show titled Lily Savage Live from the Hackney Empire, which proved to be a sell-out.
He 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 slot, The Paul O’Grady Show, on Channel 4.
In 2008, he got an MBE and in 2010 the National Television Awards Special Recognition gong.
O'Grady took over the reins from Blind Date's long-running presenter and close pal Cilla Black as he hosted the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017.
Paul and Cilla were firm friends right up until she died in 2015 and he even delivered the eulogy at her funeral.
The comedian married former-professional ballerina Andre Portasio in 2017 after the pair began dating in 2006.
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At the time a close friend told The Sun: “Paul is as happy as he’s ever been to be married to Andre."
Paul had one daughter, Sharon, with his friend Diane Jansen in 1974.
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