Filming is expected to begin in the new year
ITV are said to be remaking Paul O’Grady’s For The Love of Dogs and Ricky Gervais is reportedly in the frame to host the show.
O’Grady died at his Kent home on 28 March of sudden cardiac arrhythmia and spent his final hours watching TV with his husband, Andre Portasio, and smoking a spliff in his chair. He was 67,
Portasio’s revelation about O’Grady’s final hours came days after Battersea Dogs and Cats Home revealed this week that a veterinary hospital was to be named after the telly star. That announcement came Monday on what marked 11 years since O’Grady was made an ambassador of the charity.
A tribute fund set up by the charity in O’Grady’s honour raised £480,000.
The new series of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, series 11, began to air posthumously and left fans sobbing when it came to a bittersweet end.
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The Sun has since reported that a remake is in the works by ITV, with a source saying: “It’s a heart-warming series which raised the profile of the charity and ITV plans to continue making it in Paul’s memory.”
The insider suggested Gervais, Amanda Holden and Martin Clunes are being considered to take on the role as host. Filming is due to start in the new year.
News that Gervais or Clunes might take on the role comes after earlier reports suggested Holden would take on the role.
A source previously told The Sun that TV exec thought it was too early to make a decision about who would take on the role, but Holden is someone that “Paul would have wanted”.
“He cared deeply about the animals in Battersea. Amanda is the natural choice to take over the job, not just because she’s a seasoned presenter but because she also cares about the home.”
The final episode of O’Grady’s For The Love of Dogs began with him saying: “Life is full of its unknown twists and turns… so it’s always best to expect the unexpected.”
It went on to show O’Grady with a “wise guy” bulldog, two adorable tiny kittens and the animal-lover overjoyed at a hostel scheme opening its doors to homeless people with their dogs.
