Paul O'Grady's family 'distraught' after the TV star's 'unexpected' death aged 67
1 April 2023, 16:36
Paul O’Grady’s daughter says the family is "devastated" after the TV star's “unexpected” death aged 67.
Sharon Mousley, 48, was born in 1974 after the presenter had a brief relationship with Diane Jensen in the early 70s.
Mousley, who was born when O’Grady was 18, had a close relationship with the showbiz icon until the end of his life.
O'Grady gave Mousley away at her wedding, and she accompanied her father to Buckingham Palace in 2008, where he was presented with an MBE for services to entertainment.
Speaking to MailOnline, Mousley said: “What can I say? We are all devastated, I am, my mum is, everyone is.
“We loved him and we will miss him. We are all distraught.”
Earlier this week, O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio shared the last photo the couple took together.
He said in a statement: “I much appreciate you all taking the time to reach out. I’m so very touched and I’m sure Paul would be too!’
Merseyside-born Mr O'Grady was best known as the presenter of shows including the Paul O'Grady Show, Blind Date, Blankety Blank and For The Love Of Dogs, as well as Paul O'Grady's Saturday Night Line Up.
Mr O'Grady took over from Blind Date's long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, as he hosted the reboot of the show in 2017.
Mr O'Grady's love for animal was well-known, and he had lived in a farmhouse in Kent with Mr Portasio along with a menagerie of animals including four dogs, goats, sheep, chickens and barn owls.
During the coronavirus lockdown, he wrote his debut children's book, Eddie Albert And The Amazing Animal Gang, which was published in September 2021.
Throughout his career Mr O'Grady won numerous accolades including a TV Bafta, a British Comedy Award, and a National Television Award for The Paul O'Grady Show.
He was made an MBE in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours for services to entertainment and attended the ceremony with his daughter Sharyn Mousley.
