Paul O’Grady has previously revealed he nearly died while filming For The Love Of Dogs: India after contracting a virus that caused renal failure.
Now, the 62-year-old presenter has admitted that wasn’t the only health scare he suffered as a result of caring for street dogs on the trip.
He was also warned he could have tapeworms, and said he and the entire crew had to have blood tests when they returned from filming the ITV documentary last November.
“It’s easy to get tapeworms from dogs,” he told The Mirror. “But every time you go to the loo, to wonder if you’ve got a tapeworm for two weeks, it’s too much. Thank goodness none of us had it in the end.”
Paul, who has previously survived three heart attacks, said the health scares he had as a result of the trip haven’t put him off returning to Delhi.
“I think I’ve got about four lives left, that’s loads,” he joked.
However, he said his husband, Andre Portasio, and sister, Sheila O’Grady, aren’t as keen on him returning given the two health scares on his last visit, and the risk of contracting rabies from the animals he encounters.
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But the Birkenhead-born star, whose alter ego is Lily Savage, said catching the virus that nearly killed him was “my own fault”. He was warned not to get too close to the stray dogs but couldn’t resist feeding and stroking them.
Thankfully his short stay in hospital for treatment meant he made a quick recovery.
Now he says he would love to return to the country again as it is so “alive” and “unlike anywhere I’ve ever been before”.
Viewers will get to see Paul on his travels from Thursday, 26 April when For The Love Of Dogs: India returns to ITV for a four part series.
The animal-lover travels to Delhi to meet the heroes who look after the city’s estimated 400,000 street dogs.
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He helps the team at the area’s top dog shelter, where 50 sick and abandoned dogs arrive through their doors each and every day.
Paul’s devotion to animals was recognised at the National Television Awards in January, when he was presented with the Special Recognition award for his work on his show Paul O’Grady’s For The Love Of Dogs.
He told the audience: “The show is such a team effort. The staff at Battersea, I love doing the show, it’s so dangerous as I now have seven dogs.
“I’m delighted the programme has done well as it highlights their hard work and shows the good side of people… and the bad side when you see the abuse.
“Thank you for this so much!”
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