'Tears in their eyes': Battersea Dogs and Cats Home workers turn up at work crying after death of Paul O’Grady

29 March 2023, 11:18 | Updated: 29 March 2023, 11:23

Paul O'Grady died last night at the age of 67
Paul O'Grady died last night at the age of 67. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Asher McShane

The animal-loving staff of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home turned up to work in tears this morning after the death of TV entertainment legend Paul O'Grady.

Paul died "unexpectedly but peacefully" aged 67 last night.

Tributes to the TV star have been pouring in, including from the Queen Consort, who has said she is "deeply saddened" by his death.

Peter Laurie, the Chief Executive of Battersea Dogs & Cats home, told LBC this morning that “almost everyone” arriving at work this morning had “tears in their eyes” after learning of Paul’s death.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home Chief Executive pays tribute to Paul O'Grady

Read more: Royals 'deeply saddened' by death of TV star Paul O'Grady, who passed away 'unexpectedly but peacefully' aged 67

“Battersea is in shock. Staff arriving and volunteers arriving for work this morning, almost every one of them had tears in their eyes.

“Battersea people, staff, visitors, staff, volunteers are deeply upset. He was a colleague, a friend to so many of my teams. We are all trying to process the news at this stage.”

“Paul had that ability to form a bond with almost every dog that came in. He was so kind to the animals.”

Tributes have been paid to the TV legend after he died aged 67
Tributes have been paid to the TV legend after he died aged 67. Picture: Alamy

The Queen Consort has been left "deeply saddened" at the death of her friend, saying his "warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many".

The pair shared a special bond over their love of dogs, met many times and worked closely together in support of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The royal family's official Twitter account paid tribute to the star, saying: "Deeply saddened to hear of the death of Paul O'Grady, who worked closely with Her Majesty in support of @Battersea_, providing lots of laughter and many waggy-tailed memories."

TV personality and comedian Paul O’Grady dies unexpectedly aged 67

It posted an image of the Queen Consort smiling alongside O'Grady after they took a rescued West Highland Terrier for a walk during a visit to a Battersea centre in Kent last year.

A source said Camilla would be sharing her sympathies with O'Grady's family privately.

They added that the Queen Consort was "deeply saddened" to hear of his sudden death at the age of 67 and that his "warm heart and infectious humour lit up the lives of so many".

As part of its tributes, ITV will be reshowing the special episode of O'Grady's hit show For The Love Of Dogs which featured the Queen Consort at 5pm on Wednesday.

The Lily Savage Show trailer

Camilla is patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and O'Grady was a long-time ambassador for the animal welfare charity.

He spoke of his affection for Camilla in February last year when their dogs took part in a loyalty duel at Battersea's Brands Hatch centre in Kent.

Praising the then Duchess of Cornwall's commitment to Battersea, he siad: "I just love her, she's great."

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Rick Buckler

Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, dies aged 69 - former bandmate Paul Weller confirms

Kitchen knives on a magnetic bar holder on the wall

Round-edged blades safer alternatives than sharp-pointed kitchen knives, research shows - in bid to tackle knife crime

A large sinkhole has forced the closure of the high street in the Surrey village of Godstone

Homes evacuated and major incident declared after 65ft sinkhole appears in Surrey village

Lydia Mugambe

United Nations judge forced woman to work as slave after tricking her to come to UK, court hears

Craig and Lindsay Foreman

Did motorbike couple's 'happiness' survey prompt arrest on spying charges in Iran?

Abdirahman Ibrahim has been convicted of murder after driving into the back of Liam Jones

Killer driver mows down e-bike rider to 'teach him lesson' for doing wheelies

The Vatican says Pope Francis is being treated for 'bilateral pneumonia'

New scans show Pope Francis has pneumonia in both lungs but Vatican says he remains ‘in good spirits’

Meghan

Meghan Markle could face 'legal action' from Spanish town as her new luxury brand logo faces resemblance to coat of arms

The father of murdered schoolgirl Sara Sharif is reportedly being protected by a 'Muslim gang'

Sara Sharif's father protected by 'Muslim gang' in jail after being attacked with jagged tuna lid

Zhenhao Zou is accused of raping three women in London and 7 in China, whilst they were unconscious

PhD student 'discussed rape role-play' with alleged victim, trial hears

Exclusive
Senior Tories including Suella Braverman and Michael Gove have criticised the judge's comments

Senior Tories blast 'out of touch' judge for 'ludicrous attack' on Starmer’s migrant remarks

Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, died in an airstrike, Hamas said

Bodies of youngest Israeli hostage Kfir Bibas and his brother and mother to be handed over as family ‘in turmoil’

Lisa Smith, 43, was with a female friend when she was killed outside the Three Horseshoes pub in Knockholt, Kent

Man suspected of fatally shooting wife outside pub on Valentine's Day rang friend and said 'she's dead'

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80

Carry On legend Julian Holloway dies aged 80 after 'brief illness' as tributes pour in

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned 'any appearance by armed forces under some other flag' in Ukraine would be 'completely unacceptable', in a dig at a peace plan floated by Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer’s Ukraine peacekeeping plan ‘completely unacceptable’, Russia tells US in Saudi Arabia talks

Rita Lambourne, 58, was “fatally wounded” at her home in Bayencourt South, Bexhill

Man charged with axe murder of woman in own home