Paul O'Grady, beloved for his drag persona Lily Savage and his show For the Love of Dogs, passed away in March 2023. His sudden death left a significant gap in British entertainment, but his legacy continues through his husband, Andre Portasio. The couple had been together for nearly two decades before tying the knot in 2017 and had an unconventional living situation.
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Now, Portasio is making headlines for putting their £3.5 million mansion on the market. The sprawling Kent estate, known as Knoll Hill House, has been a cherished home for the couple since 1999, and it holds sentimental value due to Paul’s love for its wildlife and surrounding nature.
Paul O’Grady’s house put on sale by his widower Andre Portasio
According to MailOnline, Andre has decided to sell the 3,576-square-foot Edwardian mansion 18 months after the death of his husband. The Kent property is surrounded by 20 acres of stunning countryside, including formal gardens, native woodlands, and a wildflower meadow. The property is listed on Strutt and Parker, and Rightmove.
Paul had lovingly transformed the grounds into a haven for rescued animals, including barn owls, pigs, and sheep. Estate agent Strutt and Parker said:
Knoll Hill House sits in a breathtaking position at the top of the escarpment above the Romney Marsh which affords the most sensational far-reaching views, looking across the marsh to the coast and the sea in the distance.
Built in 1910 the house has much charm, providing a comfortable and spacious space in which to live and entertain against this stunning backdrop.
Moving into Knoll Hill, which boasts four large reception rooms, had been a dream for Paul, reports Mirror. In his book Country Life, Paul wrote:
I couldn't quite get it to sink in that the house was mine. On my first night in the house. I couldn't sleep. I was so excited.
I spent the night roaming around the rooms like a cat getting accustomed to its new surroundings (although I didn't spray), lugging pieces of furniture from one room to another and then spending ages standing back to see if it looked right, which it inevitably didn't.
The house itself, with its five bedrooms, has large bay windows that offer scenic views over Romney Marsh. The estate also features various unique outbuildings, such as the quirky ‘Witches House’ and the ‘Woodland Cottage,’ which add to the charm of the property.
Andre Portasio’s legal battle over the house
Interestingly, just before putting the house on the market, Portasio won a lengthy legal battle with neighbours regarding renovations to the property. Reportedly, Andre had requested to turn part of the mansion into a holiday let.
Locals urged that their area didn’t need more holiday lets as they fear road accidents with a ‘constant stream of visiting cars drivers unfamiliar with the property's awkward access.’ Despite opposition from neighbours concerned about the impact on the character of the area, Portasio emerged victorious in July when officials at the council gave him the green light.
However, now it seems like Portasio has abandoned his idea and the is letting go of the house altogether.
How is Andre doing after his husband’s death?
After Paul O’Grady’s death in March 2023, Andre has reflected on their time together several times. In a moving tribute, Andre described the final moments they shared, recalling how they spent a simple day watching TV before Paul passed away peacefully at home, as reported by The Independent.
A year after his death, he also shared exactly what happened when O'Grady passed away—the details of which are heartbreaking. He said:
He left to get some tea, and I heard this loud bang – but because the house is big and old, I didn’t think of anything at first
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.
When Portasio called the ambulance, they instructed him to do CPR on O'Grady. He said:
I don’t know how long it took for the ambulance to arrive but by the end I was exhausted.
Now Portasio has been honouring Paul’s legacy by attending memorial events and publicly sharing fond memories from their 18 years together. He has also continued to be involved in events celebrating O'Grady's contributions, such as accepting posthumous awards on his behalf.
Read more:
Paul O'Grady's husband reveals he will be spending the anniversary of his death in New Zealand
Paul O’Grady’s daughter Sharon opens up about his alter ego Lily Savage: ‘It was a lot to take in’
Paul O’Grady: The most significant part of his life adopted by his grandson
Sources used:
Daily Mail: Paul O'Grady's widower puts countryside mansion on the market for £3.5m despite winning planning row with neighbours over holiday lets
Mirror: Paul O'Grady's £3.5m mansion put on sale by widower despite fierce planning row
The Independent: Paul O’Grady died ‘smoking a joint’ reveals husband in heartbreaking tribute
