Following the late star’s passing, the first episode of what will be the final season of Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs was an emotional watch on Thursday night.
The famed comic died ‘unexpectedly but quietly’ on March 28 at the age of 67, according to his partner Andre Portasio, who added, ‘He will be deeply missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who liked his humour, wit, and compassion.’
Series 11 of the renowned programme set at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is showing as scheduled, but many viewers were overcome with emotion as they saw the TV star frolic with his favourite dogs now that he is no longer with us.
In honour of O’Grady, the first episode’s credits rolled in silence.
The show concluded with a photograph of O’Grady and one of his favourite dogs placed over the years the broadcaster was born and died.
‘Beautiful tribute to Paul O’Grady For the Love of Dogs, thank you so much,’ tweeted one viewer, while another admitted: ‘So sad watching #POGDOGS knowing @Battersea_ and the UK have lost a top class legend in Paul O’Grady.’
Beautiful tribute to Paul O’Grady for the Love of dogs Thank you so much
— Steven Alan Hill (@stevenhill2011) April 13, 2023
‘New series of For The Love Of Dogs a tough watch knowing presenter Paul O’Grady had left us. Very emotional,’ added another.
‘Still tears in my eyes watching Paul O’Grady but so enjoy the programme,’ shared one fan as a second said it was ‘hertbreaking knowing he’s gone’.
Paul personally rehomed numerous dogs from the centre, including Eddie, a Chihuahua Jack Russell-cross puppy, who he adopted during filming for the episode.
Eddie was joined in 2014 by Boycie, a shih-tzu, in 2015 by Conchita, a Maltese, in 2017 by Arfur, a mongrel puppy, in 2020 by Nancy, another mongrel puppy, and in 2021 by Sausage, a wire-haired dachshund.
In Thursday’s programme, he appeared to be captivated with Peggy, a massive Newfoundland in need of life-changing surgery on her rear legs.
‘I’ve got a confession to make, I’m absolutely in love with this dog,’ O’Grady said to Shaun the vet on the show. ‘She’s beautiful.’
After learning about the surgery Peggy required, an ever-cheerful O’Grady could be seen showering the two-year-old stray with love and saying: ‘It’s a long road ahead for Peggy, but I’m going to be here, for moral support and loads of cuddles.’
Later in the episode, O’Grady admitted to viewers that ‘Peggy steals the heart of everyone she meets and I’m head over heels’ but parted ways with her after she was rehomed by a family who welcomed the ‘gentle giant’.
Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs continues on Thursday at 8:30pm on ITV1.
Source My Celebrity Life.