We're joining the nation in mourning the loss of Paul O’Grady - an entertainment legend and our much-loved Ambassador who helped raise the profile of Battersea to millions around the world through the hugely popular ITV series Paul O’Grady for the Love of Dogs.
A devoted animal lover with the biggest heart
Battersea Chief Executive, Peter Laurie says, “To many, Paul O’Grady was the immensely popular TV and radio presenter and comedian who lit up their screens with his razor-sharp humour and perpetual generosity and warmth. Battersea will forever remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell head over heels in love with every dog he met at our centres. Paul will always be associated with Battersea and we are truly saddened to have lost such a true friend and huge part of our charity.”
“Paul had an extremely hands on approach as a Battersea Ambassador and has been fundamental in helping our charity to communicate important campaign messages. He was a champion for the underdog and would do anything to ensure all animals live a healthy and happy life. He will be dearly missed.”
A passion for all things dog
Over a decade, Paul’s passion for all things dog came out in eleven series of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, set at Battersea. The ITV series picked up multiple awards over the years for its blend of laughter and tears. Paul met all manner of dogs – and the odd cat - visited children’s hospitals, Crufts, the homeless, and residential homes with his canine companions, and in the process helped Battersea and rescue centres nationwide find homes for thousands of homeless animals. Most recently, he joined Battersea’s Patron Her Majesty The Queen Consort to promote rescue animals in a Royal Special of ‘POGDOGS’ aired on 19 December 2022 to around three million viewers.
We know that Paul’s dogs will continue to be loved and well cared for by his family and friends. Ensuring his dogs would be well looked after would have been of great importance to Paul. His dogs were everything to him and he would always be entertaining us with tales of their latest antics.
A passion for all things dog
Over a decade, Paul’s passion for all things dog came out in eleven series of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs, set at Battersea. The ITV series picked up multiple awards over the years for its blend of laughter and tears. Paul met all manner of dogs – and the odd cat - visited children’s hospitals, Crufts, the homeless, and residential homes with his canine companions, and in the process helped Battersea and rescue centres nationwide find homes for thousands of homeless animals. Most recently, he joined Battersea’s Patron Her Majesty The Queen Consort to promote rescue animals in a Royal Special of ‘POGDOGS’ aired on 19 December 2022 to around three million viewers.
Battersea’s Ali Taylor who appeared alongside Paul in the series says: “During filming of the series Paul met hundreds, if not thousands of dogs but never lost that infectious enthusiasm and interest in getting to know them all individually. During filming we’d be in fits of laughter but Paul’s passion for the dogs shone through, and I think that’s what made the series so popular all over the world. Viewers could see how genuinely he became attached to each and every dog. One minute he’d be fighting back tears at a desperately sad case, the next he’d be laughing while covered in dog slobber or mischievous puppies, but one thing is for certain, he’d deeply care about them all. He’d always say to us ‘that’s one more for me to worry about and keep me up at night.’”
The immensely popular series was broadcast all over the world from Canada to Poland, New Zealand to Singapore, and as a result letters and emails of support come into Battersea from all corners of the world – some simply addressed ‘Paul O’Grady’. In 2018 the National Television Awards recognised the series impact on helping find homes for rescue centres nationwide, when it awarded Paul a Special Recognition Award.
We cannot thank him enough
Peter adds, “Paul loved Battersea so much and we cannot thank him enough for everything he did for our charity and for rescue animals worldwide. We will forever be indebted to him for his endless generosity and support.”
For the Love of Dogs Series 11
Filmed last year, the 11th series of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs will air on ITV from Thursday 13 April. Our staff and volunteers loved working on this series with Paul and know that it will bring lots of joy and laughter to viewers.
During the decade Paul worked with Battersea and on Paul O'Grady: For the Love of Dogs, his genuine love for dogs, cats and passion for animal welfare truly came to life. He had such a positive impact on animals and humans alike.
Thank you for your incredible support
We have been overwhelmed and touched by the countless letters, calls, emails and messages of support, along with the generous donations.
For anyone who would like to remember Paul with a donation to Battersea, please see our Paul O'Grady Tribute Fund.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will be deciding the best way to pay tribute to Paul that will support the animals he loved so much.
