Paul O’Grady had ongoing health issues before his death close friend reveals

Paul O’Grady’s death on Tuesday, March 2023, was unexpected and quite a shock for many. His husband, Andre Portasio, was the one to announce the news and said the Blankety Blank host had passed away ‘unexpectedly but peacefully.’ One of O’Grady’s close friends has now spoken up about Lily Savage’s health problems.

Christopher Biggins opens up about his long-lasting friendship with Paul O’Grady, who left behind a fortune worth £6.4 million, from their holidays in Spain to his concerns over the drag queen’s health as well as his friend's six-year marriage to Andre Portasio, the couple had been dating for 11 years before tying the knot.

Paul O’Grady didn’t listen to doctors

Paul O’Grady’s friend, Christopher Biggins told The Sun that Paul already had heart problems 15 years ago. Indeed the actor talked about one of the trips he took with Paul O’Grady and Cilla in Spain:

About 15 years ago we were staying with Cilla in Spain. Paul had his heart problems already and had been told not to smoke or indulge in alcohol too much.

He explained that O’Grady acting ‘like a teenager as far as his health was concerned — he didn’t listen.’

Biggins revealed that he often looked out for Paul even though he wasn’t concerned about his health. He retold the time he asked him if was still smoking, which O’Grady had denied despite there being smoke in his hotel room.

I felt like the matron from the Carry On films when I went into his bedroom and said, ‘Paul, you’re smoking’. He looked at me and said, ‘No I’m not’

I said to him, ‘You must think we’re idiots, the room’s full of smoke’. He kept insisting, ‘I’m not smoking’, and in minutes we were both lying on the floor laughing hysterically.

Biggins is also convinced that Paul was smoking the week before he died. As reported by Mirror, Paul O’Grady had suffered several heart attacks and a bad case of Covid-19 prior.

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Paul O’Grady’s marriage ‘saved him’

Christopher Biggins also talks about his friend’s marriage to Andre Portasio. O’Grady and Biggens were friends for 40 years, as reported by Mirror. Biggins admits that Paul’s marriage to Andre although 'unconventional' had ‘saved him.’

Read more:Queen Camilla receives heartbreaking news weeks before coronation

Christopher reveals that O’Grady changed after meeting Portasio and ‘came to life.’ He also believes that Portasio saved O’Grady from himself:

He married a gorgeous man and I think that is what saved him from descending into life as a rogue

Sources used:

Mirror: ‘Paul O’Grady’s marriage ‘saved him’ from earlier death, says pal Christopher Biggins’

The Sun: ‘O'GREATY Inside ‘hysterically funny’ Paul O’Grady’s wild nights and holidays with ‘fag packet’ pals Cilla Black and Dale Winton’