Three celebrities are apparently in the running to remake Paul O’Grady’s For The Love of Dogs for ITV.
The famed comic, also known for his drag queen identity Lily Savage, died ‘unexpectedly but quietly’ on March 28 at the age of 67, according to his boyfriend Andre Portasio, who added, ‘He will be deeply missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who liked his humour, wit, and compassion.’
Fans of the LGBT+ campaigner and animal lover, as well as celebrities from around the world, have paid tribute to O’Grady in recent months, with broadcasters broadcasting previous TV appearances and interviews with the famous comic resurfacing.
Series 11 of Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs began airing posthumously and left viewers in tears as it came to a conclusion.
ITV, on the other hand, is rumoured to be working on a remake.
A source revealed: ‘It’s a heart-warming series which raised the profile of the charity and ITV plans to continue making it in Paul’s memory.’
The insider added to The Sun that Ricky Gervais, Amanda Holden and Martin Clunes are being considered to take over the role as host, with filming reported to start in the new year.
This comes after reports earlier this year that Amanda would be taking over the job, with a source previously telling The Sun: ‘Executives just feel like it’s too soon to make firm plans about the series, as it’s barely been two months since he died.’
However, they added: ‘But the feeling at the home is that [Amanda as host] what Paul would have wanted. He cared deeply about the animals in Battersea.
‘Amanda is the natural choice to take over the job, not just because she’s a seasoned presenter but because she also cares about the home.’
The final episode of O’Grady’s For The Love of Dogs began with him saying: ‘Life is full of its unknown twists and turns… so it’s always best to expect the unexpected.’
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The episode continued to show O’Grady with a ‘smart man’ bulldog, two lovely small kittens, and the animal-lover happy at a hostel plan that allows homeless people to bring their pets.
Viewers experienced a ‘bittersweet’ moment while watching one of his farewell television appearances.
One wrote: ‘I’ve watched every episode of Paul O’Grady’s For the Love of Dogs over the past 11 years, and I’m sad tonight was the very last edition. What a legacy Paul left.’
Another said: ‘The fact that it’s the last ever #PaulOGrady For the Love of Dogs makes it all the more bittersweet and poignant and so hard to come to terms with. Paul O’Grady you will be forever missed.’
Someone else wrote: ‘Catching up with the last ever #pogdogs. I just can’t. Firstly, those kittens. And secondly, in a week where cruelty and hate has dominated our discussions about the airwaves, it seems cruel that we’re in a Paul O’Grady less world.’
For The Love of Dogs is available to watch on ITVX.
