Paul O’Grady, who lived in Kent, is reported to have left £15.5m in his will – with half a million pounds going to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.

The television star died in March last year at the age of 67, passing away peacefully at his home in Aldington, near Ashford.

It is now understood the Lily Savage legend left instructions in his will for generous sums to go to charities and also put funds aside for his five dogs.

The Sun reports that Paul left his agent Joan Marshrons £125,000 for the maintenance and upkeep of his five dogs, Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie, and Sausage.

It was also reported that Paul has left a total of £775,000 to organisations close to his heart, including £500,000 to the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, a rescue centre which featured in his TV show Paul O’ Grady: For the Love of Dogs. Some £50,000 has also been earmarked for elephant and orangutan charities.

He also gave £50,000 to the Salvation Army, which he had long been a fan of thanks to their work in his native Liverpool when he was growing up.

A friend close to Paul, told the outlet: “This is typical of Paul as he put his money where his mouth was by leaving cash to charities that had special meaning to him.

“And though £125,000 seems like a lot of money to spend on his dogs, they also meant the world to him and he wanted to ensure they always receive the best love and care.”

The bulk of Paul’s estate is expected to go to his widower, Andre Portasio, his daughter Sharon Mousley and his sister Sheila Rudd.

Other recipients of the will, which he created in 2017, include his agent Joan Marshrons as well as nine other people including his godchildren Milo and Otis Sainsbury.

He reportedly also gave a total of £100,000 to be divided between two foreign wildlife organisations - the Indian Wildlife Trust, called Wildlife SOS, and the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Borneo.