Paul O'Grady's grave has finally been marked with a headstone, two and a half years after his death. The TV presenter, who died aged 67 in March 2023 from a cardiac arrhythmia, was laid to rest in St. Rumwold's Churchyard in Bonnington, Kent. For the past two years, his grave had been marked only by wooden crosses and ornaments.
His widow, Andre Portasio, announced the installation on Paul's Instagram account on Friday, following a 'lengthy' application process. The dark grey headstone bears Paul's name alongside that of his former long-term partner, Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005 from an inoperable brain tumour and is buried with him. It also features a figurine of Paul's dog Buster and a quote from philosopher Michel de Montaigne: 'The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one's own self.'
Andre expressed his gratitude to the Commissary Court of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Parish of Bonnington, and the Church of St. Rumwold, as well as Robin Hopkins for granting permission for the design. He wrote: 'I miss him dearly every day, but I am grateful that his resting place is now complete. I hope he would be pleased with the final design.'
Fans reacted warmly, with one commenting: 'It just makes me weep with happiness that you were kind and generous enough to include Murphy in this.' Another wrote: 'Beautiful. little Buster sat there so proud. I'd love to go visit this.'
Andre and Paul began their relationship in 2006 and married in August 2017 at the Goring Hotel in London. Paul had credited his friend Julian Clary with encouraging him to marry, saying it would protect his partner. Earlier this year, Andre reduced the asking price of Paul's former mansion, Knoll Hill House, from £3.5 million to £2.4 million after a dispute with neighbours over plans to convert a security hut.
