Find out what Paul said about his battle with Covid in 2020

PAUL O’Grady left the entertainment world in mourning after he sadly passed away on March 28, 2023.

The much-loved TV legend is appearing in documentary series The life and Death of Lily Savage, which starts on March 29, 2024 — here’s everything we know about the illnesses he suffered from.

Paul O’Grady passed away at the age of 67Credit: Rex

What illness did Paul O’Grady have?

Paul O’Grady passed away on March 28, 2023, from sudden cardiac arrhythmia.

This happens when a person dies from a cardiac arrest, but no obvious cause can be found.

A cardiac arrest is when the heart stops completely, unlike a heart attack where the heart speeds up to an uncontrolled rhythm.

The much-loved TV legend’s death came after years of health battles — including multiple heart attacks.

His husband Andre Portasio broke the tragic news, saying Paul had died “unexpectedly but peacefully”.

Over the years the popular entertainment suffered from numerous illnesses and health battles.

During a trip to India in 2017 he was hospitalised with kidney trouble while filming his animal show.

Doctors rescued him with antibiotic and saline treatments.

Paul then caught Covid in 2020 while filming for the second series of Sally Lindsay’s The Madame Blanc Mysteries in Malta.

He was left unable to work for two months as he fought it off.

How many heart attacks did Paul O’Grady have?

During his life, Paul had three heart attacks, and had his first one in 2002.

This was followed by two more — in 2006 and 2014.

My heart is more tin than flesh

Paul O’GradyThe Daily Mail

He told The Sun: “My cardiologist says I have the constitution of an ox.

“Three days after my last heart attack, I was back fire-eating with McFly.

“The heart is a muscle so you have two choices: Sit on the sofa and count your tablets all day, or get on with it and get moving — swimming and walking, gentle exercise.”

Did Paul O’Grady have a stent?

As a result of suffering from both heart attacks and angina, Paul had “12 stents” put into his heart to help with blood flow.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2018 he said: “My heart is more tin than flesh.

“Whenever I go for treatment I tell the doctors, ‘It would be far easier just to put a zip in me.’

“After two heart attacks I’m now happy to get through the day.”

What did Paul O’Grady say about his illness?

Paul openly spoke about his health problems and struggles over the years.

After his battle with Covid, he told the Express: “It wiped me out, I was shocked at how bad I was.

“I [took] a good two months getting over it. My breath had gone.

“All I did was sleep. I’d wake up, go downstairs and sit on the couch and then pass out for another four hours.”