Fans of the late Paul O'Grady have been left emotional after the final instalment of his last ever TV series aired on Sunday night (April 7). The second half of Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure, which saw Paul travel to
Thailand and Laos to lend a hand at animal sanctuaries, broadcast on ITV . The show was filmed in December 2022 and was completed mere weeks before he suddenly died. The 67-year-old passed away on March 28 last year from sudden cardiac arrhythmia. The second half of the series saw Paul head to the beaches of Hua Hin to visit the Wildlife
Friends Foundation Thailand, the country’s biggest wildlife hospital. He soon falls in love with 37-year-old Pun, who had been used for breeding. Paul also met 57-year-old Jum Nong, who was scarred both physically and mentally from a lifetime working in the tourist trade. READ MORE: Paul O'Grady's marriage of convenience, children and farm life with husband He also helped the team look after 19-year-old Bengal tiger Susu, who arrived with a limp. The star then crosses the border to neighbouring Laos, where there are fewer than 800 elephants left in the country. Claire Barton , the show's executive producer and a lifelong friend of Paul, explained how he had flown through the show's commentary recording, nailing it all in one session. She told The Radio Times: "He grabbed a cuppa and began recording his lines for the series. Usually, with his voiceovers, we would split the sessions in two, recording the second scripts around three weeks after the first. That was the plan here, too. "But 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." Taking to
Twitter , formerly X, fans were overcome with emotion as they realised they'd never see Paul, who was famed for his affinity with animals, front another TV show. @joanpleigh said: "Paul O'Grady had a heart the size of an elephant. The world really has lost a treasure #pogelephants" as @ManBertUK71 said: "Well, that was a wonderful programme and a fitting tribute. Still can't believe Paul O'Grady is not here anymore." @bejokex noted: "Knowing we’ll get no more original Paul O’Grady television from such a wonderful man is heartbreaking... Thank you Paul" as @lewispringle echoed: "To think this lovely documentary was Paul O'Grady's final ever TV programme. It doesn't seem real that he's not here anymore. Thanks, Paul. For everything". @AZFellNdCoBooks admitted: "Getting a lil emotional that this is the last we’ll ever see of Paul O’Grady. You can tell this was more than just a
Job for Paul, he clearly had such a deep love for the animals #POGElephants" as @Stepharrnee added: "Paul O'Grady was just so wonderful wasn't he! And these poor, beautiful animals, this is far too emotional #POGElephants". Claire added that she and Paul had returned from Laos with plenty of exciting new ideas for TV shows that sadly now won't happen. Claire shared: "It makes me so sad to think how much he would have relished the opportunity to be out exploring in the wilderness once again, having new adventures abroad, surrounded by his beloved animals." Both episodes of Paul O'Grady's Great Elephant Adventure are available to stream now on ITVX.