Paul O’Grady had ITV viewers in tears as part one of his final show for the channel aired on Easter Sunday. The star made Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure in the months before his sudden and unexpected death a year ago.
The two-part series followed him as he travelled through Thailand and Laos learning about the work done by elephant conservation centres to rescue, rehabilitate and protect the gentle giant animals. Fans were emotional seeing him back on screens and took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their feelings.
@blue_laur11 commented: “#PaulOGrady should have been a sir he was a legend funny kind loved his animals compassionate and hard working !! like I’ve said we will never ever see a man like him again #GreatElephantAdventure.” @izzles25 emoted: “Just hearing his voice has made me tear up. Miss you #Paulogrady #pogelephants.”
@ProtectWldlife write: “In tears watching #PogElephants Great Elephant Adventure. Paul O’Grady, you don’t know how much you are loved and missed. Thank you to Lek and everyone at the @ElephantNatureP.” @Jonesy__boy also felt weepy, writing: “I want to cry in #Pogelephants already. He was so wonderful.”
@MJ_JJ061215 chimed in: “Gosh, this is such a hard watch. Lump in my throat, tears in my eyes. Paul was busy so bloody wonderful. He talked about when he retired – if only, then he’d still be with us. #pogelephants #PaulOGrady.” Meanwhile @sharonsfeed opined: “#PauloGrady Just seeing Paul back on TV with his #elephant show was so emotional (to be repeated by the 2nd ep next week, no doubt!). What a wonderful man & sorely missed.” (sic)
The first episode saw Paul travel to the hills surrounding the ancient city of Chiang Mai, 400 miles north of Bangkok, which is known as the elephant capital of Thailand.
He visited The Elephant Nature Park, which is the largest elephant rescue centre in the country, which provides refuge and a retirement home for ex-working elephants since it was founded over 20 years ago by world-renowned conservationist Lek Chailert.
The park currently provides sanctuary to 116 elephants and Paul became overwhelmed.
“Aren’t they wonderful? This is heaven. I mean, I’m so privileged to get this close to an elephant, you don’t do this every day of your life,” he enthused.
The television legend died at his Kent home on March 28 last year from a cardiac arrest brought on by heart disease, according to his death certificate. In the months before he died, Paul had been throwing himself into work as much as ever, worrying those close to him.
He was known to have suffered a series of health issues in the years before his death, including several heart attacks and a serious Covid infection.
Close friend of 40 years, Christopher Biggins, had previously told how Paul was “like a teenager as far as his health was concerned – he didn’t listen”.
The 74-year-old recalled to The Sun: “About 15 years ago we were staying with Cilla (Black) in Spain. Paul had his heart problems already and had been told not to smoke or indulge in alcohol too much. She told me to go upstairs and tell him to stop. I felt like the matron from the Carry On films when I went into his bedroom and said: ‘Paul, you’re smoking.’ He looked at me and said: ‘No I’m not’.”
The second part of Paul O’Grady’s Great Elephant Adventure is on ITV next Sunday night, April 7, at 8pm. Episode one is available to watch on ITVX.