Paul O'Grady's friend Amanda Mealing reveals late star's dying wish trends now

Paul O'Grady's best friend Amanda Mealing has spoken of the late star's dying wish for his funeral.

The entertainer died at the age of 67 this week, with his husband Andre Portasio announcing the sad news on Wednesday.

He said in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul has passed away unexpectedly but peacefully yesterday evening.'

And actress Amanda, 55, has now spoken out about Paul's dying with for those attending his funeral.

She told the Mirror: 'He just told us to have a good time. He’d hate it if everyone was morose.

'Whatever happens, Paul’s funeral will be a celebration of his life and it will be full of laughter.

'He just told us to have a good time – he’d hate it if everyone was mawkish and morose. He would just say, "I don’t care, I won’t be here! Do whatever you want".'

Amanda went on to say there may be two funerals - a private one and another in 'a very grand place' for people outside Paul's family to attend.

She said there are ongoing discussions but she expects people to fly in from all over the world to attend the larger ceremony.

Screen star Amanda said she fought back tears when she received a text message from Paul's husband Andre in the early hours of Wednesday morning this week to say the star had died.

However, she has since cried happy tears as she reminisced and recalled amusing stories with Paul's friends and family, which left her cackling with laughter.

She said they have been showered with gifts, messages, pictures and videos of Paul that fans had taken over the years.

Amanda told how she was moved to tears when she was sent a clip recorded at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern in London where Paul regularly performed as his drag alter ego Lily Savage, where patrons cheered instead of having a moment's silence.

'It was such a lovely gesture to hear all this noise for him. It’s been an enormous comfort to know he was so

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