O'Grady lived in the Kent village of Aldington, just three miles from Port Lympne

Paul O’Grady’s funeral is set to take place at Port Lympne Safari Park, where he was a regular visitor.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal plans are under way to mark his life at the reserve, owned by conservationist Damian Aspinall, as those close to him believe he would have wanted the animals he adored to ‘be around’.

O’Grady lived in the Kent village of Aldington, just three miles from Port Lympne. His ties to the reserve were so close that he even judged competitions for them.

It is thought there will be a service at a nearby church before a celebration of the drag queen-turned-broadcaster is held at the venue.

One source said: ‘Paul loved Port Lympne. He got to know some of its residents very well and it was thought by his nearest and dearest that it would be a beautiful idea to hold his funeral there so they are in attendance, too. Staff hope they can do him proud.’

O'Grady lived in the Kent village of Aldington, just three miles from Port Lympne

O’Grady lived in the Kent village of Aldington, just three miles from Port Lympne

Paul O'Grady's funeral is set to take place at Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe, Kent

Paul O’Grady’s funeral is set to take place at Port Lympne Safari Park in Hythe, Kent

Following his death, Port Lympne paid tribute to him on its Instagram page, writing: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Paul O’Grady – a local supporter of Port Lympne and the work we do. We were incredibly grateful to have had him visit us.’

The 600 acres at Port Lympne are home to more than 900 rare and endangered animals, including monkeys, lions and tigers.

It also boasts Port Lympne Mansion Hotel, which has hosted prestigious guests including Sir Winston Churchill and and Prince Edward. There is also a restaurant named Babydoll after the reserve’s much-loved gorilla who died aged 55 in 2018.

In recent years, the venue has become popular with high-profile visitors including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and retired England footballer Rio Ferdinand.

O’Grady died in his bed with husband Andre Portasio by his side on March 28, aged 67. 

The cause of death was listed yesterday as cardiac arrhythmia – he suffered heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and his parents died of heart issues, too.

O’Grady had his first attack at just 46, where he was rushed to hospital and underwent a two-hour surgery.

After this, he gave up smoking, having previously been reported to get through 40 cigarettes a day.

Paul O'Grady pictured with five cheetah cubs, most of whom are asleep on his lap

Paul O’Grady pictured with five cheetah cubs, most of whom are asleep on his lap

The comedian and drag artist loved all animals great and small, including newborns

The comedian and drag artist loved all animals great and small, including newborns

Paul O'Grady laughs as the Queen looks at a corgi at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in March 2015

Paul O’Grady laughs as the Queen looks at a corgi at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in March 2015

Her Majesty Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom with Battersea Ambassador Paul O'Grady during a visit to Battersea Dog and Cats Home on December 12, 2012

Her Majesty Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom with Battersea Ambassador Paul O’Grady during a visit to Battersea Dog and Cats Home on December 12, 2012

O'Grady was even pictured with powerful and potentially dangerous animals such as this bear

O’Grady was even pictured with powerful and potentially dangerous animals such as this bear

But just over four years later the TV presenter was back in hospital after a second heart attack at the age of 51.

And after an attack of angina in 2013, O’Grady was also reported to have had a third heart attack in 2014.

His death certificate was registered six days after his death by his PA and agent Joan Marshrons.

It detailed that his death was brought on by the comic’s coronary heart disease.

The disease blocks your heart’s supply of blood with a build-up of fatty substances in your arteries.

It can be caused by lifestyle choices, such as smoking and drinking alchohol, while those with high cholesterol and blood pressure are also at a higher risk.

Paul O'Grady and Queen Consort Camilla during her visit to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home centre in Brands Hatch, Kent, in February last year

Paul O’Grady and Queen Consort Camilla during her visit to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home centre in Brands Hatch, Kent, in February last year

The 600 acres at Port Lympne are home to more than 900 rare and endangered animals, including monkeys, lions and tigers

The 600 acres at Port Lympne are home to more than 900 rare and endangered animals, including monkeys, lions and tigers

Paul O'Grady with partner Andre Portasio, sister Sheila Rudd and daughter Sharyn Mousley at Buckingham Palace in 2008 where he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire

Paul O’Grady with partner Andre Portasio, sister Sheila Rudd and daughter Sharyn Mousley at Buckingham Palace in 2008 where he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire

Alongside his trio of heart attacks, O’Grady also nearly died after suffering being hospitalised with kidney troubles aged 62.

The dog-lover had been playing with wounded street dogs in Delhi in 2017, ‘lying in the gutter’ with two puppies.

He quickly became ill and told how he could not stop vomiting – leading to him being admitted to hospital due to dehydration.

There they discovered he was heading for renal failure and gave him saline and antibiotics.

Despite advice, he left hospital after just one night because he ‘wanted to get back to work’.

In 2022 O’Grady contracted Covid-19 while filming in Malta, leaving him breathless and unable to work for two months.

If the electrical impulses controlling your heartbeat go wrong, it can cause an abnormal heart rhythm known as an arrhythmia.

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