Inside Paul O'Grady's 17-year romance with husband Andre Portasio who 'saved ... trends now
Friends and fans of the late Paul O'Grady have been commemorating the one-year anniversary of his death by sharing their stories and memories of the performer.
Paul died from cardiac arrhythmia on March 28, 2023 at the age of 67. He is survived by widower André Portasio and his daughter Sharon.
Prior to his sudden death, he had encountered numerous health scares including several heart attacks and a serious battle with Covid.
Now Paul's friend of 40 years, Christopher Biggins, has shared his view that the late comedian's marriage to husband to Andre Portasio 'saved him' from an earlier death.
'He married a gorgeous man and I think that is what saved him from descending into life as a rogue,' Christopher told The Mirror.
On the one-year anniversary of the comedian's passing, MailOnline takes a look at Paul's 17-year relationship with his husband Andre Portasio.
MailOnline takes a look at Paul O'Grady's 17-year romance with husband Andre Portasio - who friends claimed 'saved him' from an earlier death (pictured in 2018)
A former-professional ballet dance - who has performed with the English National Ballet - Andre (pictured in 2023) started dating Paul in 2006, 11 years before the pair tied the knot
Christopher Biggins (pictured with Paul in 2015) said of his late friend, 'He married a gorgeous man and I think that is what saved him from descending into life as a rogue'
A former-professional ballet dancer - who has performed with the English National Ballet - Andre Portasio dated Paul for 11 years before they wed.
The pair started their relationship in 2006, before marrying in the summer of 2017 at the Goring Hotel in London, during a 30 minute ceremony on August 5 that year.
However, that may not have happened were it not for the advice of Paul's close friend, fellow comedian Julian Clary.
'Julian put the seed in my head. He said, ''I've got married. You should''': Paul previously explained.
'And he's right, then you protect your partner. If anything happens to me, he is protected. It makes sense.
'You feel more committed. You have made a vow,
