Inside Paul O’Grady’s 17-year romance with husband Andre Portasio who ‘saved him’ as tributes are paid on one-year anniversary of his death

Friends and fans of the late Paul O’Grady have been commemorating the one-year anniversary of his death by sharing their stories and memories of the performer.

Paul died from cardiac arrhythmia on March 28, 2023 at the age of 67. He is survived by widower André Portasio and his daughter Sharon.

Prior to his sudden death, he had encountered numerous health scares including several heart attacks and a serious battle with Covid.

Now Paul’s friend of 40 years, Christopher Biggins, has shared his view that the late comedian’s marriage to husband to Andre Portasio ‘saved him’ from an earlier death.

‘He married a gorgeous man and I think that is what saved him from descending into life as a rogue,’ Christopher told The Mirror.

On the one-year anniversary of the comedian’s passing, MailOnline takes a look at Paul’s 17-year relationship with his husband Andre Portasio.

MailOnline takes a look at Paul O’Grady’s 17-year romance with husband Andre Portasio – who friends claimed ‘saved him’ from an earlier death (pictured in 2018)

A former-professional ballet dance – who has performed with the English National Ballet – Andre (pictured in 2023) started dating Paul in 2006, 11 years before the pair tied the knot

Christopher Biggins (pictured with Paul in 2015) said of his late friend, ‘He married a gorgeous man and I think that is what saved him from descending into life as a rogue’

A former-professional ballet dancer – who has performed with the English National Ballet – Andre Portasio dated Paul for 11 years before they wed.

The pair started their relationship in 2006, before marrying in the summer of 2017 at the Goring Hotel in London, during a 30 minute ceremony on August 5 that year.

However, that may not have happened were it not for the advice of Paul’s close friend, fellow comedian Julian Clary.

‘Julian put the seed in my head. He said, ”I’ve got married. You should”’: Paul previously explained.

‘And he’s right, then you protect your partner. If anything happens to me, he is protected. It makes sense.

‘You feel more committed. You have made a vow, you have to stick to it. But we still fight like cat and dog’.

However, Paul did add that he married life did not change the dynamic of the pair’s relationship in any way, adding: ‘Married life is the same as before. We have known each other so long. Nothing has changed, really,’ per The Mirror.

‘And it’s nice. I like saying I’m married – better than saying I’m a divorcee, which I was before.’

The pair started their relationship in 2006, before marrying in the summer of 2017 at the Goring Hotel in London, during a 30 minute ceremony on August 5 that year

Paul and Andre might never have married each other were it not for the advice of Paul’s close friend, fellow comedian Julian Clary (pictured together in 2017)

It comes after Andre spoke out about the heartbreaking moment the comedian died in their home last year.

Speaking to The Mirror, Andre told how nothing was out of the ordinary that day and the comedian had been in good spirits in the morning.

At one point, Paul went into the kitchen to make himself a cup of tea and Andre heard a loud bang.

As the couple lived in an old, noisy house, Andre thought nothing of it at first and thought Paul had probably stepped out to the cottage nearby they were renovating.

Andre said: ‘I walked to the kitchen to start putting some food on, and I started taking things out of the fridge. And all of a sudden, I could see him lying on the floor.

‘I just didn’t know what to think at first. He had a cut on his forehead, and I thought he was probably just unconscious. I called the ambulance and they said the best chance to keep him alive was to do CPR.’

Andre tried desperately to save his husband’s life, saying he was ‘exhausted’ by the time the ambulance arrived.

The ambulance crew spent an hour trying to resuscitate Paul and at one point told Andre he was breathing. It was short-lived however and they pronounced him dead soon after.

Paul O’Grady’s widower Andre Portasio has spoken out about the heartbreaking moment the comedian died in their home last year

‘He was full of kindness’: Julian Clary pays tribute to Paul O’Grady

Recalling the heartbreaking moment, Andre said: ‘Somehow Paul’s dog Arfur, who is one of his favourites, escaped and he nuzzled his face as he always did on Paul’s shoulder, as if to say ‘wake up’. It was just heartbreaking.’

Andre found Paul’s birthday in June very difficult and also struggled at Christmas, cancelling a planned meal with Paul’s family and spending the day alone.

One thing that helped him cope was the ‘outpouring of love’ for Paul as people kept coming to the house with flowers and cards.

Andre travelled to New Zealand in the run-up to the anniversary of Paul’s death as he couldn’t bear being at home.