Paul O’Grady’s last-ever TV series has made fans incredibly emotional (Picture: ITV) Paul O’Grady spoke candidly about his health problems in his last-ever TV series, which aired one year after his death. The beloved comedian and TV star died on March 28, 2023, at the age of 67, and what followed was an outpouring of grief across the nation. O’Grady died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ at his home in Kent, with later reports confirming his cause of death as sudden cardiac arrhythmia. Before his untimely death, devout animal lover O’Grady filmed a passion project called Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure. Airing on ITV on Easter Sunday, the programme documented his travels across
Thailand and Laos as he immersed himself in conservation work, helping out at elephant rescue centres by caring for the endangered creatures. During the two-parter, O’Grady also spoke about his personal life as he began his travels in the jungle surrounding Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, where more than half the country’s 3,500 domesticated elephants live. The beloved entertainer died in March 2023 at the age of 67 (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock) While learning the tricks of the trade and how to care for elephants, O’Grady explored the art of Thai medicine. Upon learning it was helpful for elephants – which were a close second to dogs for the beloved entertainer – the Lily Savage star decided to do some of his own research. When asked what he was looking for, he said: ‘Something for my heart. ‘I have some varicose veins and some other personal issues.’ Viewers watching at home picked up on his comment and took to
Social Media to express their sadness that O’Grady is no longer with us. ‘It’s just too sad to know he isn’t with us anymore, the world is a sadder place’, wrote fionabos21 on X. LewLewEagle wrote: ‘What an amazing programme with an amazing person!! We are lucky to have 1 final show!’ He had a great love for elephants, immersing himself in conservation work before his death (Picture: ITV) O’Grady travelled across Thailand and Laos (Picture: ITV) ‘This was such a wonderful program, poignant but wonderful. Paul really did have such a special connection with animals, so much compassion for the hem. And animals clearly felt that and loved him for it’, said NadineErskine. ‘Did anyone else cry watching Paul with the elephants?’, asked an emotional 92MJT. User grieve51166 said they were ‘in bits’ watching the show, while DavidBastin12 declared it ‘fantastic television’. As the episode ended, there was a sweet tribute to the late star, with a photo of him displayed reading: ‘In loving memory of Paul O’Grady MBE.’ Part two will air next week, showing O’Grady heading south near the beaches of Hua Hin to the Wildlife
Friends Foundation, the country’s biggest wildlife hospital. Prior to the show hitting screens, Great Elephant Adventure’s co-executive producer Clare Barton recalled working with O’Grady. ‘One of my abiding memories is of Paul encircled by a herd of excited mature elephants, mud splattered on his face and clothes, laughing as he was almost knocked to the ground before being given an elephant’s tail hug.’ The most WHOLESOME show. Absolutely love this #POGelephants . An incredible show to mark Paulâs legacy. — Josh (@makejoshscrum) March 31, 2024 #POGelephants is a wonderful programme and a reminder that Paul O’Grady was just the greatest. What lovely elephants and thank goodness for those great people taking care of them! — Andrew Waddington (@AndrewVulpes) March 31, 2024 I’m in bits. What a wonderful programme. #pogelephants God bless your soul, Paul. x — Helen Grieve ð¬ð§ (@grieve51166) March 31, 2024 Remembering his reaction, Clare wrote in Radio Times: ‘”This is heaven!” he exclaims.’ Clare revealed that she saw O’Grady just over a week before he died when he recorded the voiceover for the show. The TV exec said: ‘Paul was flying through the commentary. For the first time in 18 years of working together, Paul suggested that he crack on and finish recording the voiceover. ‘We completed the films with Paul’s voice on them that afternoon. The date was 15 March 2023. It would be the last time I ever saw Paul.’ Following the devastating news of his death, the true extent of O’Grady’s generosity was revealed in his will. In total, £775,000 of O’Grady’s will was set aside for causes and organisations close to his heart. O’Grady left a huge amount of his fortune to charities close to his heart (Picture: ITV) He is survived by his husband, Andre Portasio (Picture: Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock) This included a staggering £500,000 for Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, which featured in his popular ITV series, For the Love of Dogs. As well, he made a £50,000 donation to various elephant and orangutan charities and gave £50,000 to the Salvation Army, which helped him while growing up in
Liverpool and where he volunteered as a teenager. Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure continues next week on ITV1 and ITVX. Publisher