Amanda Mealing, Paul O’Grady’s girlfriend, spoke about the late star’s wishes at his funeral.
The artist passed away at the age of 67, with his husband, Andre Portasio, announcing the sad news on Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening,” he said in a statement.
And actress Amanda, 55, has now spoken out about Paul’s death with those who attended his funeral.
She said Mirror: “He just told us to have a good time. He would have hated it if everyone was depressing.
Farewell: Paul O’Grady’s girlfriend, Amanda Mealing, spoke about the late star’s wish at his funeral
Whatever happens, Paul’s funeral will be a celebration of his life and will be full of laughter.
He just told us to have a good time – he would hate it if everyone was so flippant and morose. He would just say, “I don’t care, I won’t be here! Do what you want.”
Amanda went on to say there might be funerals – one private and one in a “very big venue” for people outside of Paul’s family to attend.
She said there are ongoing discussions but she expects people to travel from all over the world for the larger ceremony.
Screen star Amanda said she fought back tears when she received a text from husband Paul Andre in the early hours of Wednesday morning saying the star had passed away.
However, she has since cried happy tears as she recalls and remembers amusing stories with Paul’s friends and family, which made her laugh.
She said they’ve received gifts, letters, photos, and videos of Paul that fans have taken over the years.
Amanda told how she was moved to tears when she was sent a clip that was recorded at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London where Paul was performing as regular Lilly Savage, with patrons cheering instead of being silent.
CELEBRATING LIFE: Actress Amanda, 55, has now spoken out about Paul’s death with those who attended his funeral, insisting he wanted people to enjoy themselves (pictured in 2005)
It was such a nice gesture to hear all the noise for him. It was such a relief to know that he was so lovable, she said.
Paul was godfather to Amanda’s sons Milo and Otis and I spoke to him a few days before his death.
He was “feeling good,” she insisted, having just returned to Thailand and sent her a slew of vacation snaps of himself.
While Amanda said she grieved herself for losing her best friend, she said she feels differently about Paul because he “completely washed his life away,” adding, “He got everything he could out of it and that’s amazing.”
Amanda is also grateful Paul dies at home with her husband, Andre, nearby and not in a hotel room by himself.
Paul passed away this week at the age of 67.
The legendary TV presenter — who rose to fame in the ’90s with drag queen persona Lily Savage — passed away unexpectedly and peacefully on Tuesday night, according to his partner Andre Portasio.
Sad news: The artist passed away this week at the age of 67, with husband Andre Portasio announcing the sad news on Wednesday (the couple were pictured here at London’s Royal Opera House in 2018)
“It is with great sadness that I inform you of this,” he said in a statement
Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.
He will be missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and everyone who enjoyed his sense of humor, wit, and compassion.
I know he wants me to thank you for all the love you’ve shown him over the years.
His longtime radio producer Malcolm Prince visited O’Grady—who had recently been touring as Miss Hannigan in the stage musical Annie—at his home earlier in the afternoon.
He tweeted: “He was so proud of Annie, so excited to be back on Boom Radio, and was looking forward to many new projects.”
‘And now he’s gone.’ I do not believe that. We’ve lost a unique talent – and I’ve lost a dear friend.
Paul – who received a BME Award for Services to Entertainment in 2008 – first began performing as Lily Savage in the 1970s, launching The Lily Savage Show on BBC in 1997.
Star quality: Paul — who received a BME Award for Services to Entertainment in 2008 — first got into the role of Lily Savage in the 1970s (pictured on Blankety Blank)
He revived Blankety Blank until 2002, and went on to present a number of chat shows including ITV’s Teatime The Paul O’Grady Show from 2004 to 2005, then moved to Channel 4.
In 2017 he took over from Cilla Black on Channel 5’s rerun of Blind Date, whilst also over the years he has been the presenter of ITV’s For The Love of Dogs, which was linked in his role as ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
He recently left BBC Radio 2 after 14 years, stating at the time that he was not happy sharing his slot on Sunday afternoons.
He was due to join Boom Radio on Easter Sunday in less than two weeks.
