Paul O’Grady’s grave finally has a headstone two and a half years after his death.

The TV presenter passed away aged 67 at his home in Kent, in March 2023 after suffering form a cardiac arrhythmia. 

He was buried the following month in St. Rumwold’s Churchyard, Bonnington, Kent. For the past two years, his grave had been marked by wooden crosses and ornaments. 

After a ‘lengthy’ application process, Paul’s widow, Andre Portasio, announced on Paul’s Instagram on Friday that he has now placed the ‘final design’ for Paul’s headstone at his grave.

Paul’s headstone is dark grey and bears Paul’s name as well as the name of his former long-term partner, Brendan Murphy. 

Brendan died after suffering from an inoperable brain tumour in 2005 and is buried alongside Paul. 

Paul O’Grady’s grave finally features a headstone, two and a half years after his passing. The TV host died at 67 in March 2023 due to cardiac arrhythmia.

He was buried the following month in St. Rumwold’s Churchyard, Bonnington, Kent, and for the last two years, his grave had been marked only by wooden crosses and ornaments.

The headstone also features a figurine of Paul’s dog Buster and one of Paul’s ‘favourite’ quotes, which is from Philosopher Michel de Montaigne.   

Sharing the photo album, Andre mentioned: ‘I am delighted to reveal that after two and a half years since Paul’s passing and a lengthy application process, we have finally installed the final design of his headstone at his grave.’

‘My heartfelt thanks to the Commissary Court of the Diocese of Canterbury, the Parish of Bonnington, and the Church of St. Rumwold.

‘Special thanks to Robin Hopkins, Commissary General of the Diocese of Canterbury, for authorizing the final design, which features a replica of Buster similar to the one at @battersea headquarters.’

‘I miss him dearly every day, but I am grateful that his resting place is now complete. I hope he would be pleased with the final design. (sic)’

Andre concluded the post’s caption with: ‘As one of his favourite quotes, ‘The greatest thing in the world is to know how to be one’s own self.’ — Montaigne #paulogrady. (sic)’

And Paul’s fans were quick to react to the headstone in the post’s comments section.

One user said: ‘It just makes me weep with happiness that you were kind and generous enough to include Murphy in this: Such a beautiful and selfless gesture. (sic)’

After ‘lengthy’ application process, his widow, Andre Portasio, took to Paul’s Instagram account on Friday to announce that he has placed the ‘final design’ of Paul’s headstone

Paul’s headstone is dark grey, and it bears Paul’s name, as well as the name of his former long-term partner, Brendan Murphy

‘Beautiful. little Buster sat there so proud. I’d love to go visit this. (sic)’; ‘This is beautiful and how wonderful to have Buster there too xx (sic).’

Andre and Paul started their relationship in 2006, before marrying in a 30-minute ceremony at the Goring Hotel in London in August 2017.

But the magical wedding might not have happened were it not for the advice of Paul’s close friend, fellow comedian Julian Clary.

Paul previously explained: ‘Julian put the seed in my head. He said, ‘I’ve got married. You should.’ 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, you have to stick to it. But we still fight like cat and dog.’

Earlier this year, Andre slashed the price of the star’s £3.5 million Edwardian mansion by 30%, it’s been reported. 

The sprawling property initially hit the market for £3.5 million in September but sparked little interest from buyers, resulting in the asking price dropping by almost £1 million to £2.65million in January this year.

However, following a fierce dispute with neighbours over his plans to convert a security hut, Andre has now reduced the price of the property even further.

The lavish home is now on the market for £2.4million, with the new price advertised on property sites including Zoopla as well as estate agents Strutt & Parker who are managing the property. 

Knoll Hill House comes with a sprawling 20 acres of land, boasts impressive views of the Romney Marsh in Kent and has previously been described as ‘the kind of house you’d find in one of those Enid Blyton books’ by O’Grady’s former partner Brendan Murphy, who died in 2005. 

Once owned by fellow comedian Vic Reeves, the property mixes traditional elegant characteristics like French doors with quirkier qualities such as bookcase wallpaper and a Gypsy caravan in the garden.

Estate agent Strutt and Parker said: ‘Knoll Hill House sits in a breathtaking position at the top of the escarpment above the Romney Marsh which affords the most sensational far-reaching views, looking across the marsh to the coast and the sea in the distance.

‘Built in 1910 the house has much charm, providing a comfortable and spacious space in which to live and entertain against this stunning backdrop.’