Paul O’Grady’s husband didn’t leave the house for three months after star’s death

Paul O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio has opened up about the tragic passing of the TV icon and has spoken about how he has barely left the house following his husband’s death.

Paul, who presented programmes including The Paul O’Grady Show, Blankety Blank and For The Love Of Dogs,died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at the age of 67 on 28 March from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.

Three months on, Paul’s widower Andre has spoken about his grief and on Friday (23 June) he attended the British LGBT Awards where he collected an award for Broadcaster of the Year on behalf of his late husband.

Speaking at the event, Andre,who tied the knot to Paul in 2017, explained how he’d left his home for the first time in order to attend the event in Paul’s honour.

“I have kept myself to myself since Paul died. This is the first day that I actually left home,” he said.

“But I came here for a good cause. Paul is a trailblazer and always defended LGBT rights. I just had to be here.”

Meanwhile, Andre has also opened up about how he is “still digesting” news of his husband’s passing and has explained that he’s taking things day by day at the moment.

“I am trying to take it day by day and cope with it. At the moment I am coping,” he told theDaily Star Sunday.

“It was such a shock for me to lose him. It was a shock to all of us. It was so unexpected. I am still digesting it all.”

Paul’s passing sparked an outpouring of grief from the British public, with Andre telling the publication that he was “amazed” at how many people his husband had helped and inspired in his life.

“I have received so many letters. There have been thousands,” he said. “I am still trying to reply to them all three months on. And people are still going to his grave to leave things.”

Andre’s heartbreaking update comes just weeks afterhe posted a social media tribute to Paul on what would have marked the TV personality’s 68th birthday.

Sharing a snap of himself and Paul beaming from ear-to-ear in front of a stunning sunset, Andre wrote on Instagram: “HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY. Myself and dogs miss you lots and we can only wish you were here with us. Love you always @paulogrady.”

Following Paul's death, fans and fellow famousfaces flocked to social media to pay tribute to the late star, with the likes ofLorraine Kelly andMartin Lewis leading tributes.

Meanwhile at his funeral,mourners lined the streets with their beloved dogs in an emotional send off in Kent.

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