Photo by Flickr user Steve Punter
CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Lord-Lieutenant of Kent, The Lady Colgrain, has expressed much sadness on hearing the news of the unexpected death of Paul O’Grady.
Paul was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent in 2022.
In paying tribute to Paul, The Lady Colgrain said: ‘It is with great sadness that we have woken to the news of Paul’s death last night.
“He was a wonderfully warm-hearted and talented man and would always have a welcome smile and kind word to say. I appointed him as Deputy Lieutenant last November as I knew how much he loved the county that he had made his home for over 21 years.
“His love of Kent saw him travelling around the county highlighting many of the coastal areas, with a particular fondness for the Romney Marshes. He did a huge amount of charitable work and his renowned passion for animals was universally known.
“My thoughts are with his husband, Andre, at this incredibly difficult time.”
Paul was very committed to supporting many charities, including being a Patron of Save the Children and an Ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, along with a number of other animal charities across the county. He was a keen conservationist and was passionate about protecting the natural environment.