Paul O’Grady, the beloved British TV presenter and entertainer, passed away last week at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer. O’Grady was a larger-than-life personality, known for his wit, humor, and compassion, and his death has been felt deeply by fans around the world. However, in his final days, O’Grady made a touching request for his funeral that has left many people with a smile on their face. Despite the sadness of the occasion, his final wish was sweet, heartwarming, and perfectly in keeping with his character. In this article, we will explore Paul O’Grady’s final wish for his funeral, and what it reveals about the man and his legacy.
The entertainment industry mourns the loss of beloved presenter and comedian, Paul O’Grady. However, the iconic figure may have left this world, but his legacy will live on, and that has been apparent through the outpouring of tributes from all corners of the globe. In life and death, Paul O’Grady carved out a special place in the hearts of his audience with his sharp wit, warm humour, and love for animals. Now, as the world reels from his loss, it is comforting to know that he went to his rest with a big smile on his face, with his loved ones around him.
As Paul O’Grady’s closest confidante, British actress Amanda Mealing revealed one of his dying wishes was to have a funeral full of laughter. Paul would have it no other way even in his final send-off, he wanted to gravitate away from the foreboding sadness that generally characterises such occasions. It was all about a celebration of his magnificent life and legacy, and by all accounts, that is what he would get. In the words of Amanda Mealing, ‘he’d hate that anyone was morose.’
The sentiment shared by Amanda Mealing is indicative of someone who touched the hearts and lives of many, and that includes his own family, friends and loved ones. At the time of his passing, his daughter was one of the first to speak out, expressing her family’s deep sorrow at Paul’s unexpected death. Born in 1974, Sharon Mousley’s relationship with her father was evident during his investiture ceremony at Buckingham palace in 2008 when he was awarded an MBE. In later interviews, Paul spoke about his relationship with the mother of his daughter, Diane Jansen, with whom he had a brief relationship as a teenager. The arrival of Sharon also occurred when he was barely 18, raising questions about his readiness. He, however, said that the experience of being a grandfather was one of the best fatherly rewards he could ever have.
Since his passing on 1st April 2023, the world has learned of the final moments of the beloved presenter with one of his closes friend and Avengers actress Linda Thorson saying that he died peacefully at home with his devoted husband Andre by his side. The pet lover and animal rights activist’s last picture were posted on his Instagram account and showed him cuddling a miniature Dachshund, proving that despite his famous public persona, he was an animal lover at heart.
Paul O’Grady was a big-hearted man who made a considerable contribution to the world of entertainment. He had an indomitable spirit and lived life with everything he had, and that is why his celebration of life was both a personal and public event. In the words of his friend Amanda Mealing, “it would be very grand,’ with two separate events, one private for family and friends to mourn him, while the other will be an open celebration for friends, fans and the wider public.
In his autobiography, The Devil Rides Out, Paul candidly shared his thoughts on fatherhood, his daughter and his dreams of fatherhood. He said that due to his age at the time of his daughter’s birth, he did not get to spend as much time with her as he would have wished. In a later interview, he revealed that his grandchildren filled that gap, allowing him to see the best of fatherhood in them. He was a grandfather on whom the title was never lost.
In conclusion, the entertainment industry has lost an irreplaceable icon with the passing of Paul O’Grady. It is heartwarming to know that his final wishes were not of sadness or regrets, but that he wanted everyone to have a good time in his celebration of life. With his greatest reward being his grandchildren, he was a man who lived the best way he knew, and through that, he will always be remembered as a kind-hearted and compassionate man who lived life to the fullest. Rest in peace, Paul O’Grady.
It’s clear that Paul O’Grady was a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry, and his final wish for his funeral only solidifies his kind and compassionate spirit. His desire for a truck full of sweets to be given out to mourners speaks volumes about the type of person he was: someone who wanted to bring joy and happiness to others, even in their time of grief. It’s a beautiful sentiment that serves as a fitting tribute to a man who made a lasting impact on so many people’s lives. Rest in peace, Paul O’Grady, and may your sweet legacy live on.
