Introducing the three new furry friends to his fans, he wrote: "The latest addition to the gang. La Verne, Patty and Maxine - The Alpaca Sisters. Paul O'Grady at the National Television awards in 2014. O'Grady died 'unexpectedly but peacefully' on Tuesday evening. Photograph: Ian West/PA And most importantly, having his own land meant Paul could finally give free rein to his love of animals.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside, you are spoilt for choice for walks there, as well as along the nearby Royal Military Canal or along Dymchurch beach. The TV star, also known for his drag queen persona Lily Savage, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday evening, a statement shared with the PA news agency via a representative said. Right now, his cause of death has not been revealed, but it comes suddenly and the star performed on stage in Annie just days prior. Paul O’Grady lived with his husband Andre Portasio in Adlington, near Ashford in Kent, and his countryside home looks incredibly idyllic. All that stems from my love of the farm when I was a kid in Glinsk, it never goes away stuff like thatAny fan of Paul O'Grady will know of the love he has for animals so it will come as no surprise to find out he shares his home with a multitude of pets. The 65-year-old is also an advocate for animal rights, and often speaks out against animal exploitation and cruelty.

I’d never been to Kent but I was drawn to the house, which was falling down. I love living here now. Everything is heightened when you live in the country. Born in Birkenhead, near Liverpool, O’Grady was born to Irish parents. His mother’s maiden name was Savage – which is believed to have inspired his famous drag alter ego, Lily Savage. His father came from Glinsk, Co Galway, and his mother from Co Louth. Paul O’Grady’s Country Life documents his Kent countryside lifestyle with some tongue-in-cheek jokes thrown in for good measure. I remember my dad when I was a kid used to say we were related to Irish royalty, and we all used to laugh at him,” he recalled. “He’d say: ‘King Athel of Glinsk.’ And there’s actually Glinsk castle, and I wonder if there’s any truth in it. I’d quite fancy being Irish royalty!” Signing up to the KentLive newsletter means you'll get the latest news direct to your inbox twice a day.And of course that barely lasted past day one. So you’ll have a whole diary for a year and all I’ll have written is, ‘Pipe burst in bathroom, ceiling fell in, f*** it’. Just a couple of miles away in the village of Bilsington is Priory Home Farm which is a well known equestrian, livery and riding school. More than two decades later, however, he was a confirmed country bumpkin, so much so that he even wrote a book about his experiences. However, farm life isn’t always idyllic. In his book Country Life, the star said there’s a “real learning curve to living in a rural community”.

O’Grady had a role in Jim Sheridan’s In the Name of the Father (1993), in which Daniel Day-Lewis won best leading actor at the Oscars. He spent three weeks filming in Kilmainham Gaol, including Easter Sunday, on the anniversary of the Easter Rising. The joy for me of living in the countryside, you can let yourself go, I do anyway. I have friends who come down and go… when did you last have a wash? I’ve got no shoes and feet like a hobbit,” he continued. O’Grady came when me Dad came over and joined the airforce. They slung an ‘O’ in front of the Grady, so that’s why I’m an O’Grady. I don’t think he could be bothered changing it ... He’s a true Irishman, me father, through and through.” Despite being very rural and charming it has plenty of its own amenities, meaning that its 1,200 residents can happily isolate themselves within the village's boundaries.

Paul is a supporter of many charities, Ambassador for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, and Save the Children, and a patron of, among others, Orangutan Appeal UK and Wildlife SOS. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals and all those who enjoyed his humour, wit and compassion. I know that he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.”