Remember me
Paul O'Grady's husband has today sold their Dutch apartment as he shared poignant photos of their time together in the Netherlands in a touching social media post.
Widower Andre Portasio said the property, in Amsterdam, held a 'very dear place in my heart' as he took to Instagram to share stunning new photos of the flat alongside images of himself and Paul spending time together in the city.
The late TV presenter passed away aged 67 at his home in Kent in March 2023 after suffering from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, where the organ beats too slowly, too fast or too irregularly.
Mr Portasio, 44, has been trying to sell the property - which he shared with Mr O'Grady - ever since.
His late husband shot to fame as his drag queen alter ego Lily Savage before taking the TV world by storm.
He had previously had three heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and had also suffered severely with the impacts of Covid in the years before his death.
Taking to Instagram today with a touching update for Mr O'Grady's fans, Mr Portasio said: 'I hope everyone had a good festive season.
'Today, with a heavy heart, I hand the keys to the new owners of our apartment in Amsterdam. This was our first home together - the place that inspired Paul's second children's book, where we made friends for life and where Paul could relax, socialise, and enjoy the simple things in life.
Widower Andre Portasio (right) released new photos of himself and Paul O'Grady (left) together in Amsterdam as he announced the sale of a flat in the city
The late TV presenter, pictured with his husband, passed away aged 67 at his home in Kent in March 2023 after suffering from sudden cardiac arrhythmia
'A UNESCO site and a historical home, the new custodians will now continue to tell its story. This place will forever hold a very dear place in my heart. Thank you to everyone who shared in our memories here.'
The ballet dancer was inundated with support from loved ones and Mr O'Grady's 780,000 followers in response.
The sale comes as Mr Portasio continues to struggle to sell the mansion in Aldington, Kent, where he lived with his late husband before his death.
Mr O'Grady first purchased the Edwardian mansion, complete with 20 acres of land, in 1999.
It is currently on the market for £2.4 million, having been reduced from £3.5 million and £2.65 million.
Knoll Hill House boasts impressive views of the Romney Marsh in Kent and was once owned by fellow comedian Vic Reeves.
As well as the house itself, the estate boasts a swimming pool and several outbuildings, including two self-contained cottages, a barn and stables.
The cottage, which is now a dance studio, gym and steam room with a kitchen, bedroom and living space upstairs, is the largest of the outbuildings.
The sale comes as Mr Portasio continues to struggle to sell the mansion in Aldington, Kent, where he lived with Mr O'Grady before his death
Photographs shared by Mr Portasio gave an intimate look inside the Amsterdam property
Paul O'Grady's widower Mr Portasio (pictured right, with Paul in 2018) has slashed the price of the star's £3.5 million Edwardian mansion from £3.5 million to £2.4 million
A timber-clad cottage, nicknamed 'the Woodland Hut', provides additional room and has been described as a 'charming and whimsical building', with a wood burner, exposed brick walls and a galleried bedroom.
At the property, Mr O'Grady kept as many as 14 sheep, three dogs, two pigs, hundreds of rescue chickens, ducks, alpacas, goats and barn owls.
The keen animal lover was perhaps most well-known towards the end of his life for presenting For The Love Of Dogs, and was an avid supporter and official ambassador of Battersea Cats and Dogs home.
In 2024, it was revealed that Paul's beloved five dogs would each receive £25,000 from his will and be looked after by his agent - with a friend saying the comedian left them a share of his £15million fortune to ensure they get 'the best love and care'.
The popular presenter set aside £125,000 for his cherished pets Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie and Sausage - and wrote specific instructions for them.
A friend said: 'This is typical of Paul as he put his month where his mouth was by leaving cash to charities that had special meaning to him.
'And though £125,000 seems like a lot of money to spend on his dogs, they also meant to the world to him and he wanted to ensure they always receive the best love and care.'
Paul wrote in his will: 'The legacy shall mean £25,000 in respect of each animal.
The sprawling property (pictured) initially hit the market for £3.5 million but sparked little interest from buyers, resulting in the asking price dropping by more than £1 million
As well as Knoll Hill House itself, the estate boasts a swimming pool and several outbuildings, including two self-contained cottages
On the first floor are five bedrooms, while the main bedroom has a dressing room with French doors opening to a balcony and an ensuite bathroom
'I direct that Joan shall take over the responsibility of each animal....to use each legacy for the upkeep and maintenance of each Animal until its death.'
His will showed he was also leaving £775,000 to charities close to his heart.
He granted £500,000 of his wealth to Battersea Dogs Home, which featured in the popular ITV programme For the Love of Dogs.
He also left more than £50,000 to the Salvation Army, having been a lifelong fan of the organisation he featured in his 2016 TV show The Sally Army and Me with Paul O'Grady.
Mr O'Grady also gave £50,000 donations to elephant and orangutan charities.
The will, written in 2017, will also see nine other recipients including O'Grady's godchildren Milo and Otis Sainsbury.
O'Grady became a household name in the early noughties, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a string of television programmes including his self-titled daytime chat show, The Paul O'Grady Show, which began airing in 2004.
He also took over the reins from Blind Date's long-running presenter and his close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, to host the Channel 5 reboot of the show in 2017. And he fronted Blankety Blank, as well as ITV's award-winning For The Love Of Dogs.