Paul O’Grady wins National Television Award from beyond the grave as dog gives ‘perfect’ tribute onstage

An emotional tribute was paid to Paul O’Grady

Dog was seen barking on stage during heart-breaking Paul O’Grady acceptance speech (Image: ITV)

An emotional tribute has been paid to Paul O’Grady in tonight’s (September 5) National Television Awards before he won his category from beyond the grave.

The much-loved and widely celebrated TV star Paul O’Grady died at the age of 67 earlier this year. Dubbed the most important person in British culture for drag and described as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, his death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. He sadly passed away on Tuesday evening, March 28.

Tonight, ITV’s National Television Awards paid an emotional tribute to the late TV legend as they aired clips of his famous career, special moments, awards and a heart-breaking “good-bye.

The star won a number of NTA awards during his exciting TV career, so it was no surprise the tribute was paid – it also including snippets of his winning awards and speeches.

Paul O’Grady was also nominated by fans for the Factual category award which he won posthumously with Paul O’Grady For The Love of Dogs.

Dog was seen barking on stage during heart-breaking Paul O’Grady acceptance speech (Image: ITV)

Fans were crying that Paul O’Grady won the award tonight, lots of them took to Twitter to comment how the dog brought on stage to accept the award made the perfect tribute to the late star as it stole the show, barking loudly on stage throughout the acceptance speech.

It was a moment viewers said Paul would have loved.

Promoted Stories

@thatsmytweet1 said: “Ok crying now”

Paul O’Grady died aged 67 (Image: Ben Perry/REX/Shutterstock)

@DannyLew89 wrote: “OMG the dog barking and howling has got me”

@Noir4Moon added: “The dog howling after he said we’ll really miss him”

@angenevs also said: “Riley channeling Paul’s spirit there”

The ITV star’s death certificate has revealed he died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia, which was linked to Paul O’Grady’s ischemic heart disease. He died aged 67.

Sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS) is when someone dies suddenly following a cardiac arrest and no obvious cause can be found, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Video