Fans gathered in Aldington for Paul O'Grady's funeral procession this afternoon, in the village he made his home.

Andre Portasio, Mr O’Grady’s husband, invited local residents to pay their respects as Paul makes his final journey through Aldington, near Ashford.

The 67-year-old will be laid to rest today with a private service featuring a guard of honour with dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and an appearance from the Salvation Army Band.

Mr O’Grady, who rose to fame as his platinum wig-wearing drag queen alter ego Lily Savage before going on to host a string of television programmes, died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at his home on March 28.

This afternoon, the procession leading to the private service carried Mr O’Grady’s coffin through Aldington, and mourners gathered along the streets to pay their respects.

Among those in Aldington are Sarah Kelly and Katie Sharpe who have travelled from Larkfield.

Ms Kelly told KentOnline: “He always made us laugh and we used to love For The Love of Dogs.

“He was just a really nice, kind, friendly, happy man who just made us laugh.”

They said they intended to throw their roses on top of the hearse as it passed by.

It comes after his husband posted in local Facebook groups inviting the local school and community to line the streets to mourn the comedian, expressing his “deep gratitude” for the “overwhelming outpouring of support and love” he has received in the wake of his partner’s death.

Born in Birkenhead on the Wirral, Merseyside, Paul O’Grady later adopted Kent as his home for more than 20 years ago, with his husband writing: “While the funeral will be a private ceremony, as many of you know, Paul cared a lot about his local community.

“We have therefore requested that the funeral procession passes through Aldington before heading to the church, as a way of marking Paul’s affection for the area.”

Residents were invited to stand on Roman Road, Forge Hill or New Road Hill between 2.10pm and 2.45pm on Thursday, although Mr Portasio, who married Paul in a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017, has asked people to “respect the villagers and the local area”.

Church Road and Knoll Hill - where Mr O'Grady's home is - have been closed.

The Salvation Army Band is expected to play during the private service on Thursday.

The funeral of the comedy and TV stalwart featured a guard of honour with dogs from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, in a special nod to O’Grady who became an ambassador for the animal charity in 2012 and rehomed five dogs while filming his multiple award-winning ITV show Paul O’Grady: For The Love Of Dogs.

Following his death, Battersea set up a “tribute fund” which has raised more than £270,000 for the charity.

Following the death of Mr O’Grady, names from across the drag world including Divina de Campo, The Vivienne, Cheryl Hole and Cheddar Gorgeous led tributes alongside those praising his advocacy for LGBT+ equality including former Labour politician and campaigner Peter Tatchell and fellow comedian and actor Eddie Izzard.