Paul O’Grady seen 20 minutes before death in emotional video

His husband shared the video to mark the second anniversary of his passing

O'Grady died in March 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia at just 67-years-old.

To mark his 'heavenly birthday' his widower Andre Portasio shared a video taken shortly before his sudden death.

The video shows the beloved presenter sitting in his armchair, cuddling one of his much-loved dogs.

In the clip, he seems in good spirits as he thanks his fans for their support.

Posting the video to Instagram, Portasio said: "It’s incredible how our minds can shield us from the pain of loss in moments of shock.

"Today, my iPhotos reminded me of a lost video I recorded of Paul just 20 minutes before he sadly passed - what became the last recording he ever made to camera.

"In this bittersweet moment, you see him as the genuinely kind man he was, expressing heartfelt gratitude to everyone for supporting his book, which he recorded for an award ceremony he couldn’t attend.

"It's hard to believe it's been two years since his passing. All the while, he’s surrounded by his beloved dogs. We miss you dearly @paulogrady. Happy heavenly birthday!"

In the video, O'Grady says: "Hello everybody, I'm Paul O'Grady and I just want to say a massive thank you for reading my book, and also for voting for it. I'm absolutely delighted with my award so thank you very much."

O'Grady shot to fame in the 1980s under his alter-ego Lily Savage, but he was also known for his love of animals and in the video he can be seen cuddling a corgi.

He added: "And by the way, this is Eddie, this is my dog. Aren't you? You're famous. And Butch in the book is based on this little one. You're being very quiet today aren't you? Anyway, once again, thank you so much. I really appreciate it. Look after yourselves."

O'Grady had been due to pick up an award for his book Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang and filmed the video to be played in his absence.

Portasio told The Mirror last year that one of O'Grady's dogs, Arfur, tried to nuzzle up to the presenter after he had died.

He said: "The saddest part of this all is that when all of this happened, and as I was trying to resuscitate him, I was trying to keep the dogs out of the room.

"But somehow Paul’s dog Arfur, who is one of his favourites, escaped and he nuzzled his face as he always did on Paul’s shoulder, as if to say ‘wake up’. It was just heartbreaking."

Fans and celebrities alike rushed to comment on the video. Eastenders' Michelle Collins said: "This is unbelievable, so sad makes you realise what a wonderful person he was life can be so fragile we have to really embrace it like Paul did, such a loss wish there were more like him x."

While Gaby Roslin described the clip as 'special and precious'.